You Can’t Do It Alone

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Dewaine in Spiritual Growth | Leave a comment

Reading through Psalm 33 last night I came across these 2 verses.

Verse 11:

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations”

Verse 16:

“No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.”

In other words, you’re powerless without God. It doesn’t matter if you want to do good and to help people and to make a difference in the world. Without God’s guidance and help, you’ll never do much.

And to be a bit real this morning, try this on for size. People do good things and make good choices without God’s help all the time, but that’s not the point. In the end, without God, all those good actions and choices are meaningless.

Happy Terrific Tuesday!

Christianity Basics

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Dewaine in Spiritual Growth | Leave a comment

Here’s a nice little reminder for all believers. A walk through of the first 10 verses of Ephesians 2 explains the basics of our faith:

Verses 1-3 – Sinners By Nature

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

You were once a sinner and dead inside. Your sins killed your inner man and woman (your spirit). There was no real hope and no real life. You were, for all intensive purposes, the walking dead; a zombie.

Verses 4-9 – Saved By the Grace of God

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.

But through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection and through your confessions of sins you are no longer dead inside, but ALIVE. You have the freedom that comes with this salvation, and the grace of God that will follow you as long as you keep a relationship with God.

Verse 10 – Created With a Purpose By God

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

And through this salvation freely given to you God has set aside a special purpose for you to complete with his direction and assistance. He created you just for this, and as a believer, you’re on your way to doing that very thing you were created to do.

AMAZING!!!

Leadership Lessons From a Master Sword Maker

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Dewaine in Leadership | Leave a comment

This is amazing; the lessons we can learn from this man to be better leaders.

I really love the lesson of passing along knowledge, ability, and passion to our students (he calls his student a disciple – hmm, where have I heard that word before).

Talent Night

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Dewaine in Media | Leave a comment

I love the Beyond Youth students God has given to me at Life-Givers, and I can’t fathom how I can be prouder, but everyday they prove that my pride of them gets bigger. I love these guys and girls so much.

To help you understand a small portion of what I’ve stated watch these videos from last Sunday’s talent night.

Doug, Wesley, and Tyler

I will have a youth band one day! I’m declaring that now!

Crossover Drama – Give Me Your Eyes

I want a traveling drama team, too. Is that too much to ask?

The Best Thing You Can Say To God

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Dewaine in Spiritual Growth | Leave a comment

Prayer is one of those things that’s so easy to do yet the hardest to get started. It could be the fear of talking to an awe-inspiring God, the intimidation factor, the idea of talking to supposed nothing, or simply one doesn’t know how to pray. No matter what, it really comes down to God wanting to know one thing: Are you his?

Leviticus 26:12 states the words of God best. God says to the Israelites (his chosen people),

“I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.”

In other words, God has chosen you. All he wants is for you to choose him.

Pretty powerful stuff.

Try praying that. Try telling God that you’re choosing him, and see what happens.

Beyond Youth Fall Lock In 2011

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Dewaine in Media | 1 Comment

It was a great time.

We had 22 students (awesome), which was up from 15 from the last lock in and 12 from our very first this time last year.

I love being a youth pastor.

Yard Sale

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Dewaine in Media | Leave a comment

Can’t see the video. Click here.

I’m really not sure what to say.

Is Cheating Wrong?

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Dewaine in Spiritual Growth | Leave a comment

Can’t see the image? Click here.

I’d have to agree with the comic. The better question now is what answer does he pick? Yes and he’s admitting he’s cheating and doing something wrong. No and he fails.

So, what’s your opinion? Is cheating morally wrong?

Lucky, Friendship, or Terror Waiting to Strike

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Dewaine in Media | Leave a comment

You decide.

Can’t see the video? Click here (the link no longer works).

I’ll say it again. Just because it’s never been done before doesn’t mean that it can’t be done, and just because somebody says that it can’t be done doesn’t mean that it won’t be successful.

Seeing True Beauty

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Dewaine in Everything Else | Leave a comment

Here’s a testament to true beauty being found on the inside of a person.

From the blog, Not Always Romantic:

(Five teenage girls are sitting at a table. A couple tables away are two teenage guys. One of the guys appears to be staring at the girls through his sunglasses. The girls are arguing with each other about which one of them he is checking out.)

Me: “Uhh, girls…hate to burst your bubble, but he’s blind.”

Girls #1-#4: “Oh no!”

Girl #5, to the other girls: “Best news I’ve heard. Means I have just as much chance with him as you all do.”

(At this point, Girl #5 walks over and asks for the guy’s number, which he gives to her.)

Girl #1, to the blind guy: “Hey, you got the ugliest girl!”

Blind guy: “That’s the best thing about being blind. I can pay more attention to appreciating people for who they are, instead of judging by beauty. Dating is not a beauty contest.”

(Five months later, the girl and the guy continue to visit the restaurant regularly–minus the other four girls, since the two are now seriously dating!)