Don’t be shaken (unless your cold…) – From Northviewcc.com

Jeff — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:45:33 +0000

Hey friends!

I like to read and immerse myself in the language of the Psalms. We spend so much time talking to God in our lives that it is nice to read the words of the Hebrews as they struggled with (and triumphed with) life and being connected to the Almighty. I like to use the language with students and help them realize that we can call upon God to help us understand and we can feel angry when situations seem to go against the natural order of things, but the most important lesson is that in the end God is always good, God is always faithful.

My favorite Psalm right now is Psalm 93

1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty
and is armed with strength.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be moved.

2 Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.

3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.

5 Your statutes stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days, O LORD.

I love the second half of verse one, “the world is firmly established…”

What a truth to be grasped! The Hebrews of ancient Israel grasped this fact thousands of years ago and sometimes in our own lives we feel like the world is falling apart when we can’t find the best parking spot on Black Friday!

In this time of uncertainty we have a truth to hold to and a shelter from the fear that seems so wide spread and rampant. We hold to the truth that God has firmly established this world and that God is sitting on his throne no matter who is in power, how much our stock gains or loses, or whether your favorite sports team gets into the championship game!

Let me go back just a little…language. I love the language of the Psalms, I love to immerse myself in the language of old that connects to the raw emotion and connection with God. But how do we learn language? We hear it, we read it, we listen to those around us and imitate it.

Working with students for the last 5 and a half years has taught me that MUCH of what comes out of students mouths is said at home (or maybe isn’t said, but acted out…actions speak MUCH MUCH louder than words for students). In times of uncertainty and worry parents have tons of things to consider and worry about, but when our worries spill over into students and small children those fears can be escalated because of their inability to disconnect from the thought! When will we find a better time to be repeating the words of Psalm 93 than now? What a great lesson to teach our students and children than the fact that NO matter what is going on God is in control! This is a great time to wipe worry and fear out of the minds of young ones with the power of the Spirit, prayer, and some scriptural truths!

Teach your children the power of prayer and let a little lesson on faith become a foundational truth in their lives even when things seem crazy all around!

I leave with the words of Twila Paris…not because I like her music, but because she certainly has it going on in the lyrics department!

“God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
God is in control, oh God is in control”

~~God is in Control, Twila Paris (1995)

Current itunes track: Welcome to the Machine, Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here

currently gaming: Mirror’s Edge, XBOX360 (it is gorgeous…amazing!)

currently reading: Jesus Wants to Save Christians, Rob Bell

currently watching: 30 Rock, Season 1

Why Youth Ministry – Jeff Smith (from Northviewcc.com)

Jeff — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:31:05 +0000

(JUST A HEADS UP…I have been blogging weekly on Northviewcc.com for a staff blog. so I will copy and paste those over here so you can comment if you would like…here is this week’s blog).

My friends from high school sometimes ask me why I became a Youth Pastor. They have all either gone on to grad school or are taking start up positions in big companies like Kohl’s, AT&T, and Bank of America; I even have one friend who works for the Republican Campaign Headquarters in Texas.

So why youth ministry? Isn’t college when students are most susceptible to ask questions about their future? Doesn’t it make sense to talk to a room full of elementary aged students because they will be quiet and at least listen to what you have to say? Shouldn’t you take a really expensive college degree and at least find a field that will help you pay back your student loans?! QUESTIONS QUESTIONS QUESTIONS!

Probability of accepting Christ, segmented by age

Nearly half (43%) of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (2004)
Two out of three born again Christians (64%) accept Jesus Christ as their savior before their 18th birthday. (2004)
One out of eight born again people (13%) made their profession of faith while 18 to 21 years old. (2004)*

*http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Topic&TopicID=18

This is straight from the Barna group website, a research insitute that performs Scientific Opinion polls on many faith based issues. As you can see in the list above, children’s ministry is REALLY REALLY important in students lives, but as students get older the numbers get smaller and smaller until…

That is why I do Youth Ministry. I am not a baby sitter. I am not a YMCA director. I am not a Ring Leader of some circus. As Paul says in Ephesians 3, I am a servant of the Gospel. In Romans 1:16 it reads I AM NOT ASHAMED of the Gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes! That is why I am a youth pastor. I love students and I feel that when students accept Christ it is NOT just about getting them to heaven, but rather I want to help students see how to live into the Kingdom that Jesus came to establish. This kingdom is not near completion (and can’t be completed by us), but I believe that we have a responsibility to live into the life that Jesus called us to and I believe that helping students learn and understand that will keep them grounded in their faith FOREVER.

I don’t apologize for not playing enough games or not programming enough wild and out of control events, but what I will defend with my life is the IMPORTANCE of putting CHRIST and then OTHERS first in students lives in a way that THEY UNDERSTAND! This is why I am a Youth Pastor. This is why my heart beats. This is why I do what I do. Want to join me? Then PLEASE let me know.

You ROCK!

Peace to YOU and YOUR FAMILY.

so much to say... » staff blog

Don’t be shaken (unless your cold…) – From Northviewcc.com

Why Youth Ministry – Jeff Smith (from Northviewcc.com)