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November 14, 2008
Right now, its 11:37pm and I’m sitting at my computer thinking of how things have gone with Origins Conference. For all of my friends around the world that have been praying, I thank you. Your prayers have paid off. The city of Richmond is known for lots of churches and religion but next to no unity. Well we certainly didn’t fill out a Coliseum (yet) but we had 400 people and over 15 churches of different backgrounds at the conference this year. Pastor Chris Hill ministered Thursday night and brought the fire with a challenging message from Mark 5 about the young man who was possessed by a legion of demons. He preached “its time for this generation to come out!” It was powerful. We saw over 30 people give their lives to the Lord that night!!! Praise God!
All day today we have been pushing it with three sessions along with simultaneous leadership sessions. The response has continued to grow and the work of God has been evident in this entire event. Tonight, Pastor Donna Lasit ministered a powerful and pure word on breaking free from the bondage of the enemy through prayer and praise. She preached from Acts 16. It was amazing. It concluded with a powerful time of worship and confession as we sang “You’ll Come” by Brooke Frasier. People were healed of hurt, addiction and spiritual turmoil! We ended the night by having the youth surround their youth pastors and just lay on their hands and pray to encourage and support their pastors…it was incredible. 
So, we’re not finished yet. We still have one more session to conclude in the morning. Prayer at 8:30am…worship begins at 9:00am. Pastor Doug Lasit will be here to preach and he brings the passion, caffeine, purity and energy like no one else. I know it will be amazing. Youth pastors and leaders from other churches are walking around smiling with more pep in their step…We are ready to do what we are suppose to be doing!
Filed under: Christianity, Evangelism, Leadership, Origins Conference, local church, youth ministry |
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November 11, 2008
Tonight, I sit at my computer at 6:50 pm exactly 39 hours away from the opening of Origins Conference here in Richmond, VA. I take a quick moment to reflect on this past year and all the wonderful things that have unfolded here in Generation Now at the House of Prayer. The vision of a youth conference has burned in my head for the last 3 years and to be so close to it actually happening is a bit mindblowing to me. If it wasn’t for the fact that there is so much to think about and take care of, I would probably be freaking out right now. Freaking out with excitement and nerves. I have that feeling in the pit of my stomach like I use to get in the locker room before playing a big basketball game. It is such a great feeling. Now that I think about it, it was the same feeling I got before walking down the isle to get married.
I’m amazed at the grace of God that He has given us to make the Origins Conference a reality. I am amazed at my youth staff and our youth who have stepped up and volunteered to make this conference happen. I’m not surprised at their desire but at the level at which they have risen above and beyond the norm. I’m amazed at…everything. I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch but I know the blessing of God is on this conference with a purpose to bring revival to the youth ministries of our region in order to do what we are called to; reaching the lost and making disciples. I would list my staff and all those who have worked so hard, giving up sleep, taking time off work, and spending their own money to make this happen, but I know I would enevitably forget someone and I don’t want to do that. Most churches who do these conferences have proven intern programs or bible colleges to pull resources from…not us. We just have an amazing youth ministry with amazing leaders and amazing people in the church who have taken ownership.
If you are reading this, feel free to go to www.originsconference.com and register to join us. It will be the best $35 you’ve ever spent. Please pray for the conference, for our guest speakers (Chris Hill, Donna Lasit and Doug Lasit), for our worship band, for all the youth pastors and leaders who will be there, and of course for all the youth that God will bring to the conference that their lives would be changed forever. Pray for grace on us all that we run this race with endurance and gain the prize that God has in mind for this conference.
Thanks for everything. Its been a great ride… — PC
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November 5, 2008
Well today is a day of obvious mixed emotions around our nation. Barack Obama has been elected as the next President of the United States of America. I’ve seen people walking around with a little pep in their step today. I’ve seen people indifferent to the whole thing and I’ve seen people who are just depressed and upset about the results of this election. We are definitely a passionate nation in regards to what we believe and we have been given the freedom in our great nation to be able to formulate our own political beliefs and opinions. Although, I am not happy with the result of yesterday’s election, I am, however, proud to be an American and proud to see our system work yet again and to see history made in our nation. Regardless of where your vote landed and even if you unfortunately chose not to vote, yesterday was a day that you should remember the rest of your life and you should tell your children of the day that America elected it’s first African-American President.
This election brought the true colors of many to the surface. We realize that racism, although still alive, is not as central as it was thought to be. But I do find it troubling to see that we still have too many people in our nation that will vote for someone or against someone not because of their views, ideals or stances but simply because of the color of their skin. I believe it is ignorant for African Americans to vote for Obama simply because he is part African American. But its absurd. It is absurd that some people didn’t vote for him because he is African American. It is absurd that some people voted for John McCain simply because he is white. When are we going to get it people! It doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is. It doesn’t matter where you come from. Anyone can work hard and be successful whether you came from a rich family or a impoverished family.
We, as a nation, must get past our prejudices and bias and begin to think about and vote on issues and character. If you have the right ideas on issues and policies, then I’ll vote for you whether you are white, black, purple, red, pink or striped.
It is not time to start praying because we should have started that a long time ago. Now is the time to lift up our new President before the Lord and ask for His guidance. We must pray for our new President. Our prayers must be prayers of support, prayers of protection, prayers of wisdom, and prayers that are uplifting. It will be a tragedy if the Christians of our nation grumble and complain over the next four years. I don’t want to see bumper stickers that say “Don’t blame me. I voted for the other guy.” It is the people that make our nation great and not necessarily those who lead us. Remember we chose to put these people in office and good or bad, we must reap the results of our own vote.
There are a lot of upset and depressed Christians today and my word to you is buck up. Chin up! Lose the attitude and get ready to stand for what you believe in and respect the authority that God has seen fit to establish. It is okay to stand for righteousness and for what you believe in and still honor our leaders who may disagree with you. The winner does not represent, necessarily, the side that God is on. The winner simply represents the person who is a part of God’s eternal plan. God’s plan over the next four years involves President Barack Obama and I simply trust my God more than I trust man. God has a plan and it is never wrong. So, let’s get on board with God’s plan and stop complaining. Let me leave you with a couple of scriptures to think about.
Philippians 2:12-15 “…Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (New Living Translation)
Romans 13:1,2 “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authoirty comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebells against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.” (New Living Translation)
It is time for the campaigning and arguing and complaining to stop. Now is the time to recognize that the race is over and people have spoken; more importantly God has spoken and Obama is in this place of power because God saw fit to place him there according to His divine knowledge and plan. President Obama is no Savior and will never be, but he is where he is by the grace of God and we will honor him as President.
So Mr. President Obama, I welcome you and receive you as the leader of our nation. May God bless you and may his hand of blessing be on you and your family. I pray that you would seek the will of God and ernestly spend time in prayer and asking God for his wisdom in making decisions and governing our great nation.
Filed under: Christianity, Holy Living, Hope, Politics, Purpose, Wise Decisions, faith |
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October 30, 2008
I realize that the term “church” covers quite the array of beliefs, views, values, blah, blah, blah. Having said that, this message is for every Senior Pastor and for every church out there regardless of your mission or lack there of. There are many powerful churches out there who are passionate and zealous to see the population of the world saved and restored to Jesus Christ. Most of the passion lies behind the leadership of a solid Senior Pastor who leads his/her congregation.
What I am beginning to see is that there is a real lack of strong youth ministries across our country. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not making rash statements such as “there are no strong youth ministries in our country” because there are actually a good number of youth ministries really accomplishing more than teen baby sitting but it is not good enough for there to be some. Every church (I said EVERY CHURCH) out there needs to see the importance of a powerful (not just the existence of) youth ministry. A powerful youth ministry is a youth ministry with these qualification. (some of these qualifications are for the church and senior pastor, not just pertaining to the youth ministry itself)
- Skilled full-time youth pastor
- A portion of the church’s budget dedicated to youth ministry
- Focuses on Presence Driven Ministry
- It Disciples Youth
- Pastors Youth
- Counsels Youth
- Has a passion for Evangelism
- Raises up leaders (both student and adult)
- Shows signs of life and growth through evangelism
- Provides venues for their youth to grow and practice what they are taught (missions, camps, retreats, outreaches, small groups)
- Networks with other churches and youth ministries to work together
- Has a vision bigger than you can accomplish on your own
- Understands and practices being in the presence of God through worship and intercession
- Gives the youth a venue to grow and be seen, heard and used in the adult services
- Cares about the whole church and not just the “youth church”
- Has a Godly world view
- Speaks out against cultural injustices and immoral norms of our culture
- Teaches and preaches the Bible (all of it)
- Knows how to serve
Those are not listed in order of importance but they are very important qualities of a powerful vibrant youth ministry and no church will survive or succeed in its mission without a strong youth ministry or without dedication from Senior leadership to putting a great emphasis on youth ministry in the church.
Senior Pastors, if God has given you a large vision to accomplish great things and a heart to see our globe evangelized, then make sure you have a strong youth ministry to support it and carry on that vision. Give them something tangible to work with and put some trust in them. Invest in a full-time youth pastor. You’ll put your money in what you think is important. Nothing is more important that creating something that last longer than you do.
Also, to all you leaders around the country and around the world who are doing these Global Strategy movements, let’s get our youth ministries and pastors involved in this process because you won’t be able to accomplish this without the help of those who have more strength and energy to see the dream and vision accomplished for God.
Filed under: Christianity, Evangelism, Leadership, Wise Decisions, local church, youth ministry |
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October 29, 2008
Looking at this Presidential Election and the options that we have makes me wonder how we got to this point. There are some obvious reasons but when I look at how Barack Obama got to where he is, it greatly concerns me. We all know how important the position of the President of the United States of America is and that we should not take it lightly anyone who wants to hold this position and its power. So I started thinking of hypothetical situations where we would want to choose or approve of someone carefully before accepting them or putting them in an important place. Here’s one…I have children and more importantly I have a daughter who is the apple of my eye. One day someone is going to want to marry her and spend the rest of their life with her. That will be an important decision and my approval of that person is very important. What would happen if I found out the following info about the guy interested in my daughter:
- He is personal friends with a known domestic terrorist who is also a self proclaimed Marxist and loves the principles of anarchy.
- He just recently (April of ‘08) attended a dinner and publicly toasted a guy (Rashid Khalidi) who is a known Palestinian activist and a self-professed Jew hater believing that Israel should not have their own state and they should be destroyed.
- His pastor (who he has been under for many years) is a bigot and racist and hates the very country in which he lives
- He is a socialist
- He believe that Christianity and the Christian-right is the very thing that is holding our country back
- He has close active ties with ACORN; a corrupt housing advocacy group who fraudulently registers voters to back liberal democratic candidates of whom it calls Obama “The Candidate We Hold Dear”.
- He is repeadedly caught in lies of double talk on different issues
- He wants to spread the wealth of my daughter
- He takes money from others (tax payers) and pays millions to his personal friends to get what he wants
Well, if someone like that wanted to marry my daughter, I would stop cleaning my gun infront of them, load it and tell him he has seconds to leave my house and never speak to my daughter again.
But we would elect this person to run our nation and handle the affairs of our nation? Would you trust someone fitting these descriptions to be your family doctor, your accountant, your pastor, your trusted adviser, your spouse, your banker, …you name it. Would you want this person to be your god? Louis Farrakhan certainly thinks Obama is the messiah. I wouldn’t trust someone fitting these descriptions to be my President.
His ties with ACORN are more than just an organization supporting a candidate. Obama was once employed by ACORN to run their voter registration efforts, to train people who are today leading these same fraudulent efforts and he was paid as their lawyer in election cases.
I know some people are voting for Obama because they want to be a part of history in electing the first black President but think before you vote. The day will come when we make history but let’s be smart as a nation and elect a President for the future of our nation.
Elect John McCain and Sarah Palin to lead our country.
Filed under: Politics |
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October 28, 2008
As I write this blog, we are exactly one week away from one of the most important elections in the history of our great nation. I will tell you right now that I will be voting for Senator John McCain and Govenor Sarah Palin. I believe that they will be the best leaders with the best interest in mind for our nation. I have anti-campaigned pretty hard online via my Facebook account and email against the Obama campain but that is not what this blog will be about.
Polls all over our country are predicting this race but the truth is it’s too close to call. The important thing is that all Americans who are registered and alive should legally vote and be a part of the political process that all nations around the world are jealous of. We are not perfect and do not have a perfect system but its the best in the world and many lives have been given and sacrificed so we could have this freedom. So show up to vote, regardless of who your vote is cast for.
Here is what I want to say in this blog. Christians…beware of your hearts and attitude after this election. We are all free to voice our opinions and to work to support a candidate but when that candidate has been selected and we have a new president, it is time to put our differences aside and support our new leader whether it be Barack Obama or John McCain. To be honest, I’m not thrilled at either option. I would rather write in Sarah Palin for President but I live according to the Word of God (The Bible).
We are challenged in the book of Romans chapter 13 (especially in verses 1,2) to honor and submit to the governing authorities. There is no authority that has not been established by God. Good or bad, God has a plan and I trust God more than I trust man. And when God appoints someone to be the head of a nation, he knows what he is doing. God knows what will happen as a result of a certain person being president and has a given outcome in mind. I don’t believe God’s will is to punish a nation but to brings events into play that will point our nation back in His direction. We have gotten so far off of where we should be as a nation and we have turned from God in our government, our schools, our families, and in our lives; it is time for us to get our priorities back in order and get right with our Lord.
So no matter who our next President is, just know that it is time to support, honor and pray for our leaders. Do your part as a citizen of this great nation and then do your part as a follower of Jesus Christ and support, submit and pray for our leaders in this next term.
Filed under: Christianity, Politics, Purpose, Wise Decisions, faith |
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September 26, 2008
How can the world follow if God’s people don’t lead? There is a great need for leaders to rise up and become the picture of Christ we are suppose to be. So come on leaders…lead!
Question #1. Do you know how to lead? That is the question that needs to be asked in our churches that isn’t asked enough. There are churches who do a great job of training, equipping and holding leaders accountable but not enough churches do this. We all see the need for leaders but great leaders cannot be microwaved. They must be biblically trained. I think that too often we find people who are willing and we give them roles that they are not ready for. They may have the time and energy to put into it but we haven’t taken the time to “know those who labor among us” and we end up doing more damage than good.
I am a huge fan of the leadership movement that has hit our nation and churches. I read John Maxwell and Andy Stanley faithfully in their leadership publications among other authors, but when it truly comes down to qualifying who should lead, we need only break it down to two main questions.
1) Can you follow? 2) Can you serve?
In our mind we have glamorized the 12 disciples that Jesus hand picked as his “leadership team.” But these guys were common nobodies who weren’t good enough in the Jewish culture to make it as the understudies of the local Rabbis. Read Luke 5. This is the account of Jesus calling his first disciples. It is an amazing lesson in leadership and leadership qualifications. Notice his words, “Follow me and I will make you” into what you were created to become. He didn’t approach them and say, “We are looking to develop a 12 man leadership team to build a religious empire for eternity and I have watched and admired your leadership ability. I think you would be a great addition for this team.” We too often think that if we want the best leaders, then we have to schmooze them and recruit them. That’s wrong. Find people who will follow faithfully. No authority is no absolute authority other than God, therefore no leader outside of God himself should be unaccountable. To be accountable means that you must have an authority or someone you follow….You must be able to follow to be a true leader. A good leader can make others follow but a great leader follows Truth and leads others into that path. I think Jesus probably could have picked a more prestigious leadership team but not all leaders are followers.
Can you serve? Jesus later tells his disciples that he did not come to be served but to serve others. Being a pastor, I have people all the time who come up to me and genuinely ask, “Pastor Craig, I think I’m ready to be a leader. What do I need to do to be a leader?” For some reason, most of the time I translate that statement as, “Pastor Craig, obviously you haven’t noticed my awesomeness and I wanted to let you know that I am ready to be in charge. What do I need to do to get some power around here?” I know, that sounds a bit cynical, right? But I know these people talking to me and I can say that about 95% of the people who ask this type of question are people who haven’t served one lick. They show up faithfully or semi-faithfully and are passionate people but don’t know how to serve. 99% of the people I have put into leadership were people who didn’t ask me about leadership. They just showed up and started picking up trash or setting up chairs or cleaning bathrooms, or they just asked what they could do to help or make things easier for me. Those are the people who will become great leaders. If you can’t serve, you will never lead successfully. The Impact of successful leadership outlives life-span of that leader. Hitler was a leader but his significant impact did not outlive his own life. Jesus Christ is a true leader. Even after he ascended back into heaven, his leadership and impact still is strong today. That is a the mark of a great leader and it only comes through true service. Leadership has nothing to do with power or position. It has to do with you being able to accomplish a goal and have people follow you on the journey by serving them and their needs as you go.
There is a great need to lead and a great need for leaders. If that is you and you are looking for leaders or you want to be a great leader one day, then go to your pastor or leader and stop asking for position and start serving, start seeing what you can do to serve, start following your authorities and allow the Lord to promote you and don’t be a self-promoter.
“That’s good preachin’ Pastor Craig!” Thanks. I think so. So let’s lead!
Filed under: Christianity, Holy Living, Leadership, Politics, Purpose, faith, local church |
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September 26, 2008
Today in my email inbox I received an email from some very influential and well connected Pastors who are calling the leaders, pastors, and all Christians of our nation to prayer for our nation, our leaders and the financial crisis that faces our nation. Please do not think for one second that the financial crisis we are facing is something that will just hit the pockets of rich CEOs in our nation. The crisis we face is real and will impact more than just our wallets if something miraculous does not happen. We must all be shaken our of our slumber as Christians and realize that it is time to get on our knees, fast and pray for God’s hand to move and save our nation in more than just one way. The following is a copy of the email I received from Pastor Ken Wilde of The National Prayer Center in Washington D.C. I urge and advise everyone to take a minute and read the following and then pray accordingly.
From Pastor Ken Wilde
Washington DC
Dear Pastor, Leader and Prayer Partner,
As we see this crisis in the economy of our nation there is a great
need for concerted prayer and the calling of leaders to a time of prayer and
fasting. We are in Washington, D.C. with a prayer team and today we met with
a Senator who is on the Banking Committee. He proceeded to inform us of the
details of the crisis that we are now in and its ramifications. Last
Thursday we were hours away from a total collapse in o ur economy, which was
barely averted by taking some steps to bolster the mutual fund accounts.
This Senator has been in coordination with his committee and with the
Treasury Secretary, the Federal Reserve President, and with the President in
attempting to come up with a plan that will bring our economy back to
solvency. This is a serious and major concern for all of us because it
affects all of us. I think that this is no less a threat than the attack by
terrorists on September 11, 2001. Once again it is time for Christians and
Americans to humble themselves and pray that God would hear from heaven and
heal our land.
I felt the Lord speak to me that it is time to call for Sacred
Assemblies to be held across the nation and that we in concerted effort cry
out to God in humility and repentance to heal our land. It is also time for
a Benjamin Franklin moment. As you probably recall during the Constitutional
Convention he spoke these words:
* "All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed
frequent instances of superintending providence in our favor. To that kind
providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means
of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that
powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I
have lived, Sir, a long time, and the lo nger I live, the more convincing
proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a
sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an
Empire can rise without his Aid?"
We are now at a moment in time at which we need someone to stand up
once again and call our leaders to a time of prayer and repentance and
acknowledgment that we surely cannot survive unless God himself intervenes.
With all of the crises facing our nation it appears that a "Perfect Storm"
of spiritual darkness and plots is brewing in the atmosphere that surrounds
our country. Think of it! The phrase perfect storm originates from the 1997
book The Perfect Storm which refers to the simultaneous occurrence of
weather events which, taken individually, would be far less powerful than
the storm resulting of their chance combination. Such occurrences are rare
by their very nature, so that even a slight change in any one event
contributing to the perfect storm would lessen its overall impact. If you
take even a brief look at the various events in today's headlines you begin
to see that we are on the brink of a spiritual perfect storm. The recent
terrible hurricanes earlier this fall that ravaged the gulf coast give us a
glimpse in the natural of the raw destructive power of storms. It was
declared on many newscasts by reporters and governmental officials that our
gulf coast infrastruct ure cannot take much more of this! We must gather our
spiritual meteorologists, reporters, aid workers, appointed officials, and
financial resources and prepare to push back, offer aid, and strengthen the
spiritual infrastructure to withstand the chaos that threatens to swirl
around us.
Take a look at today's headlines from several fronts and look at the context
for this weather forecast.
The economic storm:
* John McCain halts presidential campaign for economy crisis talks
* U.N. Head: "Global Financial Crisis Threatens Fight Against Poverty
* Bush: "Our entire economy is in danger"
* The storm of evil plots:
* Iran's Ahmadinejad Addresses United Nations, Declares 'American
Empire' Reaching 'End of Road'
* EU Warns Iran Nearing Ability to Arm Nuclear Warhead
* North Korea Removes Seals From Nuke Plant, Bars Inspectors
* Russia arrived with it's Navy in Venezuela for exercises today
Looking at all of these Perfect Storm parts there is no doubt that we are in
perilous times. During these difficult times I have been comforted with a
scripture out of Psalms:
"I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the
lovingkindness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be
strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:13-14,
NLV)
Today we are meeting with more Senators and Congressmen. Would you
please pray that God will give us favor and that they would have the courage
to call for a time of prayer and repentance in which all leaders would join
them. These are critical times—the time to pray is now. Please join us in
prayer and call your people to a season of prayer until we see breakthrough
for our nation.
Prayer Points:
1. Pray for a spirit of humility and repentance among our leaders.
2. Pray for an answer to this economic crisis.
3. Pray for favor for Pastor Ken and the team when meeting with
Congressional leaders.
4. Pray that Congressional leaders would catch the need for "Solemn
Assembly" Prayer at this moment.
5. Pray that Christians would understand the signs of the times and begin to
activate prayer at a new level.
6. Pray for wisdom for our President, Congressional Leaders,=2 0and
Financial Leaders.
7. Pray that God would hear our prayers and heal our land as we humble
ourselves in repentance before Him.
Filed under: Christianity, Hope, Politics, Purpose |
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August 27, 2008
Today started off like most days. I have a wife and my three kids are all under the age of 5 and the youngest is 4 months old. So yes, the day started early and with little sleep but that is the small price to pay for having awesome kids. I made our kids favorite breakfast of Bee Cheerios or Honey Nut Cheerios to the layperson…Bee Cheerios because there is a Bee on it and that is how my kids know what it is. :) But we had breakfast and played a little with building blocks making incredible block structures and watching the Today Show on NBC as they covered the harsh realities of the Democratic National Convention.
When the time had come I got myself ready and made my way into the office to begin the preparations for our weekly Generation Now youth service that we have each and every Wednesday night. I hopped online and checked my email and facebook account and then realized…I haven’t checked my MYSPACE account in like 3 months. So I did…
I had 32 friend invites from bands I have never heard of. One invite from a missionary in India and the rest of my friend invites were from what I like to call “ladies of the web”; you know, girls you don’t know that are half naked and want to be your “friend” so you will visit their websites and pay money to be a lust slave for all eternity. For the record, each one was responded with a quick “NO” to their friend request. Endless requests for events from people I don’t know or don’t care to be with anyway. And that is when it hit me! I don’t use it. I don’t need it. It is full of trash and smut and you have to get around that mess to just have conversations with people you actually want to talk to………….DELETE THE STUPID ACCOUNT!
And so I did. In case you are wondering how to do this. Login and go to home. Then go to My Account, then click Account and then Account Cancellation. Then you are free.
So I did this and after I left my reasoning for canceling (too much smut) I left MYSPACE never to return again. I feel free and clean for some reason. But really…just because something trendy is out there under the guise of “networking” doesn’t mean that you have to be a part of it. I think it is ridiculous to put yourself in a place of temptation and danger when you don’t have to. Facebook isn’t perfect either but it is way better and more safe then MYSPACE. So that is all I have to say about that.
Peace & God Bless
Filed under: Christianity, Holy Living, Parenting, Politics, The Family, Wise Decisions |
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August 4, 2008
We just returned from Generation Summer Camp 2008 at Refreshing Mountain Camp in Stevens, PA. It was an amazing time in the presence of God. Generation Now hosted the event and we had 4 other church join us and partner with us to make this camp a success. Our guest speaker this week was Pastor Ben Malmin from Portland, OR. The theme this year was Greater Love (John 15:13) and the focus was to take a group of people from living for themselves to being centered on living the life that Jesus lived where his focus was to show Greater Love to the world around him. This passage in John 15:13 says there is no Greater Love then for someone to lay down their life for their friend or neighbor. Jesus demonstrated this so strongly in many areas of his life but the greatest demonstration was when he became the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He took our punishment so we didn’t have to get what we deserved.
From the first night it was all out in worship. Every person at the camp was just in total “spirit & truth” worship holding nothing back and it only stepped up all week. Even just right now I stopped typing to answer a phone call from a parent crying because of the change in the life of their daughter. She was rebellious and experimenting sexually and now her whole attitude and outlook is different. She has been healed of so much in her life and it is a result of God’s grace that was poured at camp this year. She is already calling unsaved friends to tell them what Jesus did in her life. Many were saved, many rededicated their lives to the Lord, many were baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, we saw real life miracles take place such as a guy who had loose joints since birth get healed, people addicted to drugs and alcohol were healed and delivered and so much more.
Its A New Day! We are an army mobilized for God’s work. Passionate not only about our own walk with the Lord but about seeing our lives being used as instruments of Greater Love. We will pray for those who need healing, speak to those in need, lead the lost to the Lord….We will demonstrate Greater Love daily by laying down our lives for those around us.
Who can you lay your life down for? Who can you serve? Who has a need that you can pray for? When was the last time you told someone that Jesus loves them? When was the last time you demonstrated Greater Love? Its A New Day!
Filed under: Christianity, Evangelism, Generation Summer Camp, Holy Living, Hope, Purpose, faith |
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