TEENUP - Thanking God: We Can't Thank Him Enough

In high school, my father asked a buddy of mine and I to move an old water heater from the backyard to the curb for garbage pickup.  He recommended that we use a moving dolly to transport the heater as it was well over 200 lbs. Instead, wanting to prove our strength and toughness, my friend and I decided to pick it up and carry it ourselves. Not considering proper lifting techniques (or anything else for that matter), we lifted the water heater and though struggling, we were able to take it all the way to the curb. The success of our endeavor was short lived however, as I spent the next two to three months in perpetual pain and agony due to stained muscles in my back. Apparently, there are not many body movements that do not require the use of one's back. For months, I was constantly reminded, by my soreness, that I should treat my back with more care and not take it for granted.

Similarly, in college I obtained an injury playing basketball.  Though never an elite player, I was particularly skilled on defense and known to have really quick hands. This led me to getting plenty of steals every time I played but also led me to aggressively throw my hands and arms around on the court. That was until I badly jammed and sprained my thumb. For months, I had to do everything with my left hand: write, open doors, start the car, dial phones numbers and everything that needed a thumb. Needlessly to say, I was a little bit more careful in the future (after carelessly injuring it 4 more times right after the first incident - but I finally got the point).

Have you ever taken anything for granted? The reality is that we have all taken something or even someone (e.g., in my case, body parts) for granted. Perhaps our parents, our siblings, mentors, friends, and even our possessions are examples. But far more common than all of those is the fact that we all have taken God for granted and done so often. To illustrate this, let's ask ourselves this telling question:

What if you woke up today, with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?

Take some time out of your day and consider this question, because it reveals our selfishness and lack of gratitude for our Creator. For some of us, our day would be pretty bleak (or perhaps not even exist). Friends, God is worthy of our appreciation. In fact, we should feel indebted to Him (because we are). The list of the things God provides for us and freely gives is truly endless. To mention a few: He gives us life, family, jobs, transportation, homes, friends, clothes, love, comfort, emotions...did I mention life? We wouldn't exist if it was not for God, but many times we are guilty of living as if He doesn't exist. How thankful are we?

I find myself complaining because of a flat tire, a comment someone made about me, or a tear in my gear, but there are people without clothes, or transportation, without family and many who are not even alive. Because of all God does for me on a daily basis, I should wake up every morning thanking Him, praising Him, and being willing to passionately serve Him throughout my day. If it was not for God, there would be no me.  Every second being alive, every meal with food, every day with family are all moments to thank God for.

Not only that, God does more than just bless us everyday. He gave the ultimate demonstration of love, when He sacrificed His Son for us. For those who trust in Him, not only does He give us life, but He gives it more abundantly. Not only does He give us true freedom, joy, and clothes, He clothes us in His righteousness and showers us with His grace and favor. Not only does He give us earthly homes, He promises us an eternal one that we will spend with Him in the absence of all sin, pain, hurt and suffering.  Not only does He give us family on earth, He adopts us as sons and daughters and gives us an inheritance that lasts forever. Not only does He comfort us when we go through hard times and when we lose loved ones, He promises us a future where we will be perfect and spend all of eternity with loved ones that know Him. Because of our sin, we deserve to die, but He promises those who love Him that He will raise them from the dead. Every moment we have, is a moment we do not deserve and is a gift from God.

Friends, every moment of our life should be lived in thanksgiving - in appreciation of our awesome God. I no longer want to take for granted the things and people God provides for me; but even more so, I do not want to take for granted the God who gives them.  I appreciate all of what God gives me (which is innumerable), but I appreciate God even more. Let's be more thankful.

This week’s challenge:

• Spend some time this week evaluating what and who you take for granted. Do you take God for granted? How and Why?
• How many things do you thank God for? How do you show God appreciation? How should you show God appreciation.
• Dedicate this week to showing God appreciation in prayer, in your thoughts and in your actions. Reflect on what He means to you and what He has done for you.

TEENUP - Put On For What You Believe

In the summer before my freshman year of college, I attended an engineering program at the University of Michigan designed to help prepare and acclimate promising high school seniors to the academic and social rigors of college life. We lived on campus, ate the dormitory food, and took classes. During this summer, I built up quite the reputation for myself. I was the "wannabe" tough cat from Chicago who knew everything, loved to debate and a jokester who was rarely serious.

One day, a couple of the students and I were playing around in the computer lab after class - making drum beats and just hanging out. I overheard one of the guys talking about how he plays for his church.  I used to play the drums so I inquired. He told me he loves playing for his church, but was very upfront and clear that he did not believe in God or anything unintelligent like that - he just liked playing the drums. I was appalled, and quickly morphed from my normal, overly silly self into a serious/defending-the-faith mode. I was (and still am) convinced that the existence of God and our faith in Him is more than intelligent; its the highest form of human contemplation. Our pursuit of the knowledge of God is the greatest science and the most meaningful task. I explained to him how the existence of God is so clear, obvious and self-evident; then this and that - I was on a roll. We had a great convo, but his initial response cut deep and resonates with me even today. He said, "Wow, you are a lot smarter than you act!"

WOW! Those words rocked me. I was not sure how to take that - was it a compliment or a harsh criticism? Perhaps both. Either way, his comment cut me deep, but it also lead to me realize something significant. Representing Jesus Christ, as I was so amped to do back in those days, involves more than just what I say, but also how I behave.  I had, and still have, a responsibility to show off God, to Put On for Jesus; to represent Him with my speech and with my actions; in other words, in all aspects of my life.

A few weeks ago, my youth group and I were just talking about this same concept as we discussed evangelism or sharing the good news. As teenagers, we are geeked and excited to talk about gossip, rumors, new kicks and gear, making the sports team and things like that; yet we tend to shy away from sharing what we believe about Jesus. We should be unashamed to do this, but it's important to also remember that sharing the faith is not just a 'verbal' thing; its also a 'behavior' thing - a 'way of life' thing. In fact, many times we even behave in manners that are inconsistent with our beliefs and what we claim our beliefs to be. Maybe you are the loud obnoxious kid, the liar, the gossip, the bully or the jerk. Is the way we are acting and speaking reflecting the faith in Christ that we claim to have?

Not too long ago a rapper came out with a song saying "I put on" for my city. In the song he was saying he represents and showcases the things that are important to him. Friends, we are to showcase and represent what is important to us as well - what we believe. We are to Put On for Jesus - in our speech, our actions, our thoughts, our motives - everything.

The Christian Rapper Flame, perfectly illustrates this point in his new song, "Believe"  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1_7EmMXrfI) where he rhymes:

Put that red dot on me, Drop me from where I stand

Absent from the body, Present with Him

And while I'm in the body, Baby I'm puttin' on,

The aroma of Christ, Can u smell my cologne?

It's a strong fragrance, Just let it permeate,

my life and my speech should speak my statement of faith

Because what I believe is more than mental consent

but it's the truth in it, that should lead men to repentance..

Flame is beautifully saying that He gives his all for Christ...even to the death. If he dies, he is with the Lord. But as long as he has life, as long as he is breathing,  he is putting on for Jesus. In fact, he is literally putting on Jesus. Our aroma should smell like Jesus. When people hear us and watch us they should see Jesus. Our life and our speech should speak our statement of faith - faith in Jesus Christ. That is the point - that is why we are here on earth. Being a Christian is more than just mentally acknowledging there is a God, because our belief in Him pours out intentionally into our speech and actions - into our way of life. Friends, let's truly put on for what we believe. Let's show the world what we represent! Don't be like me and accused of having a life and behavior that is inconsistent with your speech (or what you claim your belief to be).

Weekly Challenge

• Listen to the "Believe" song on youtube - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1_7EmMXrfI) 
• What parts of this song are impactful and resonate with you? 
• Take 10 minutes and do a little self-examination of your speech and behavior. Evaluate whether your life and speech speak your statement of faith. Do they showcase Jesus? Are your actions consistent with your beliefs and your speech? How well do you put on for Jesus? 
• List out some things you put on for more than Jesus. In what ways can you put on for Jesus more than what you do now? Does Jesus come first in your life, or is secondary to your wants and desires? 

TEENUP - Whatever Jesus Provides, I Want

Best Wine You Ever Had!

What Jesus provides is just plain better than anything and everything else; simple statement, but true. Let me show you:

Jesus turned water into wine as the first miracle of his public ministry at a wedding 2000 years ago in Cana, Galilee (John 2:1-12).  Many of us have heard this story or at least heard about it. After all, it is a classic (like all Jesus stories).  However, when told, the wrong part of the story is typically emphasized. We get so excited about the actual wine itself and what this miracle may tell us about whether we can or cannot drink alcohol. But something much deeper is at work here. The point of this story goes much further than just whether Jesus sanctions drinking or not (either way, you are too young to drink!) In other words, it is not so much about the wine, but what the wine represents. Let me explain:

Jesus was at a wedding with his mom. She notifies him that the wine has run out and tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to. Jesus, without touching anything, tells the servants to take water, normally used for cleaning and ceremonial washing, to the host of the banquet instead of wine. The host tasted the water and was astonished at the quality, saying "Normally, people bring out the good wine first, then serve the inferior wine, but you have saved the best wine until now." In other words, the water Jesus turned into wine blew the rest of the wine away in quality - it was better than the best wine they had.

This story serves, not only a great demonstration of Jesus' power and who He is (i.e., God) by transforming water into wine (He also created the universe as well; John 1:3), but also displays the significance of what Jesus provides. The wine, in a sense, represents the superiority of what Jesus provides. What Jesus provides for us today is so much better than anything and everything else we can ever imagine. It is superior to whatever the world provides. The joy and fulfillment Jesus gives is way better than any other source of joy and fulfillment you can name. He is the better friend, Father, confidant and leader; and he gives better gifts (you know eternal life, salvation from our sin and God's wrath, purpose, peace, etc...).

Friends, if Jesus can take water from dirty waterpots and transform it into the best wine, envision how he takes sinful human beings and transforms them into an obedient people that live for Him. Truthfully, what we have in Jesus, after we come to Him, blows away whatever we had before. There's just no comparison.

Picture eating boxed macaroni and cheese your whole life and then finally tasting someone's homemade mac and cheese - and just falling out eating it. If you had a choice, which one would you choose? Jesus provides the very best quality. Everything else is a cheap alternative. So whatever Jesus is handing out- that's what we want. Tell your friends they can take the cheap imitation stuff if they want, but you'll take the good stuff (They can take the turkey bacon, while you are chewing on the real bacon).

This week’s challenge:

• Brainstorm some examples of the things Jesus provides for you in your life
• How are these things better than the alternatives?
• Evaluate whether or not you are settling for imitations and cheap alternatives to the things God provides for us

• Find someone who is settling for imitations and tell them about the real thing that God offers everyday

This week’s challenge:

• Do a self-check: Do you care more about following your peers in school, rather than Jesus? Why?
• Take a close look at the people you follow on twitter - what is the general pursuit of the people you follow? Why do you follow them?
• What things are holding you back from following Jesus more closely? What do we need to turn away from in order to focus on Jesus?
• What are some ways you will follow Jesus this week?

- See more at: http://www.thedoubleedged.com/#sthash.s6FY1egb.dpuf

This week’s challenge:

• Do a self-check: Do you care more about following your peers in school, rather than Jesus? Why?
• Take a close look at the people you follow on twitter - what is the general pursuit of the people you follow? Why do you follow them?
• What things are holding you back from following Jesus more closely? What do we need to turn away from in order to focus on Jesus?
• What are some ways you will follow Jesus this week?

- See more at: http://www.thedoubleedged.com/#sthash.s6FY1egb.dpuf

TeenUp - When Is It Ok to Follow?

When Is It Ok to Follow? Who Should We Follow?

Everyone follows. Just take a look at twitter.

We often hear advice as teenagers (when peer pressure seems to be at its maximum level),  "Do not be a follower." But the truth is: everyone follows someone.  It is human nature. And its not just on twitter. Everyone (even the best inventors and entrepreneurs), in one way or another, has looked up to, fashioned themselves after, took cues from, and/or imitated someone else. Whether its the popular crowd at school, star athlete, older sibling, parents, or someone famous, we have all been followers. This, then begs the question, 'When is It Ok to Follow?' But the better question is 'Who Should We Follow?'; because its not so much an issue of whether or not we follow someone (because we all do) but rather the quality of who we follow and shape ourselves after. If you had a choice of anyone in history to follow, who would you choose?

In the Gospel of John 1:35-51, John tells the story of the first followers of Jesus Christ and how they came to follow Him. Andrew was following someone else first, Peter was recruited by Andrew to follow Jesus, Philip follows Jesus from jump, and Nathanael was skeptical at first, but was convinced because of what Jesus did (Jesus gave Him a small peek of who He was). We can all most likely relate to one of these guys. Why did they follow Him? Because, as they said in the passage, Jesus is the Rabbi (or teacher), the Messiah, the Son of God, the King, and the Lamb of God. In short, there is no one better to follow. They could have followed flawed, mortal men or their Creator. They chose right. We have the same choice today. Who would you choose: The star athlete who gets injured or one day gets too old to play, the popular kid who will not be popular forever, or the God of the Universe who holds the entire world in his hand? Only God stays on top of His game forever; everything and everyone is temporary. We say we follow God, but who are we really following? Would you pass up on the opportunity to follow God for short term popularity?

As Christians we are to be followers of Jesus Christ above anyone or anything else. We are to be Christ-like. In reality, this looks different than following friends and associates on twitter. We are not just sometimes checking up on what Jesus is doing or simply retweeting what He says. We shape and mold our lives after Him. We want to be just like Him, look just like Him, act just like Him and our goal is to become just like Him.

So When Is It Ok to Follow? When you are following Jesus. Because its not if you follow, its who you follow. And if we all follow someone, why not follow the best there is!

This week’s challenge:

• Do a self-check: Do you care more about following your peers in school, rather than Jesus? Why?
• Take a close look at the people you follow on twitter - what is the general pursuit of the people you follow? Why do you follow them?
• What things are holding you back from following Jesus more closely? What do we need to turn away from in order to focus on Jesus?
• What are some ways you will follow Jesus this week?

TeenUp - The Human SignPost

We are Signposts for Jesus (John 1:19-34)

This past June, the youth and I from Spirit of Faith Church attended a mission trip to Loveland, Colorado. To get us there, we organized multiple fundraisers, one being a church-wide Garage Sale, which took a lot of planning and preparation. Surprisingly, one of the most important components of a successful garage sale is the signs. We spent days developing signs that would most clearly point people to our sale. 

In the Bible, we also see this concept of signs or signposts pointing to something. However, the actual signposts are human beings - us. God calls us to be signposts pointing to Jesus Christ. This means no matter where we are (at school, home, kicking back with friends, the movies, parties, etc…) our posture, the way we act, and the things we do and say should be in some way directing people toward Jesus. That's right -  away from us, and toward the One we serve.

We see an excellent example of this in John Chapter 1. This is where we find John the Baptist being interrogated by the religious authorities of his day because of what he was saying, doing and how he carried himself. John was testifying about the One who was to come and baptizing people in preparation for His coming. What really stands out here is that John consistently deflected all the attention he received and instead pointed to Jesus. When asked if he was the Messiah, he professed, " 'I am not' but let me tell you about the One who is." John's whole purpose was directing people toward Jesus Christ.  

We are all a signpost for something in our lives; that is, we all point to and represent something. John attracted attention with his message and life, but deflected all of it from himself and directed it towards Jesus. How are we doing that today? Are we being good signposts for Jesus? Are we more concerned with drawing attention to something about ourselves or with showing people who Jesus is by the way we conduct ourselves?

Sometimes our pointing is obvious and others times it is more subtle. But the point (pun intended) is we should never forget the One whom we are pointing to. As Joel E. Kim puts it:  "A good signpost does not demand attention for itself, but points to an impending reality [Jesus]. Moreover, a good signpost is judged not by its beauty or size, but its accuracy and clarity." 

This Week's Challenge:

Read John 1:19-34. Practice being more like John the Baptist -  not focusing on drawing attention to your appearance, concerns, successes, desires and needs, but on how you can accurately reflect Christ and point to Him in your daily life. Is there anyone in your life that does this well? What can you learn from them?

Lyrics Fanatic

I'm sort of a lyrics fanatic. I love the content, meaning and artistry embodied and captured by them. But by far my favorite lyrics come from the hymn, "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" by Henry van Dyke in 1907 when he wrote:

"Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee"

Anyone who has ever been grabbed and had their heart snatched up by God knows exactly what that means... 

 

 

Peep what van Dyke later wrote about his hymn:

These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.

Amen!  Needless to say this hymn really moves me. Check out the rest sometime

 

Selah...

My Mother's Stroke: A Year in Review

A few weeks ago marked the one-year anniversary of my mother's stroke.  What happened on March 13th, 2010 would significantly (even drastically) change the lives of the Whitaker family and impact many, many others. The same event that seemingly turned our world upside down and easily resulted in the most difficult, worrisome, and trying year of our lives ultimately unfolded into the year in which we would become most intimate with the magnitude of God's awesomeness.  It was the year where we experienced and were made most aware of His incontrovertible love (and loving-kindness), awe-inspiring grace, power and work along with the immeasurable joy and peace He provides despite the circumstances. It was the year that the Lord, in His providence, would chose my mother to further put on display the riches of His glory through the onset of her affliction, and through her perseverance, faith, healing and ongoing recovery. I, seriously, cannot believe it has been a year already, but seeing that it has been; it is fitting for me to reflect (and recap) on our experience this past year in order to honor my mom's plight and how the Lord's radiance and splendor and our growth in Him was accomplished through it.