Spent some quality time with Duke today getting ready for leading together next week on Next Gen. The set text we’ll be working through in Strand 2 is from Malachi 4:1-6. Verse two has some cool imagery of an exuberant dancing cow: “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” (NIV 1984)
The illustration I’ve used more than any other with youth and children to illustrate sin is from a 2000 Burger King commercial. It features Queensland (give toward the floods here) Rugby League legend Wally Lewis. I watched it for the first time today for over 10 years. Poetic license means that my retelling of the commercial is a little embellished, maybe more exciting and definitely longer than the original product!
Talk 4 from this series is the most recent time I’ve given it. Basically the red-headed fella in the ad sits next to King Wally Lewis, with a whopper in hand, and declares that Wally isn’t the king, but that he is the king. I compare it to what we have all done in waving our puny little fists at God and declaring that he’s not the king.
The heart of sin is our rebellion against God and attempt to rule our own lives as if he is God. This is dumb, and there’s consequences. If this is all new to you, check out what Jesus has done to deal with your sin and re-establish his rule.
All good illustrations are stolen, so if you like, go ahead! (I think I first stole it from Marty Kemp back on The Real Thing in 2000/2001… haha!)
It’s devastating to watch the floods and the extent of their destruction unfold. As well as the cost of lost lives, there will be a significant financial cost. The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has opened an appeal. Giving is easy. Click here to do it now.
Any money raised will go to Christian organisations/churches on the ground as they seek to provide care and support to those in need.
Last week I spoke on the Summer Youth Camp of the Grace Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. It’s a young denomination and involved in valuable work across both Islands. Lots of fun. Great food. Dedicated leaders. Beautiful weather. I preached on ‘The Jesus Revolution’, a series I’ve done many times, but this time added 3 new talks. The talks went well. I was really encouraged by the young kiwi’s and their hunger to spend time in the Word and God was very kind in the way he worked during the week. During talk 5 there were many who responded to the good news of Jesus, such a joyful night!
Here are the mp3s from the 8 talks (right click to download):
I’ve started. It’s a big task. But I’m praying to a big God who can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). The book is set out with dates to be able to use as a year long prayer journal, or you can just read and pray about random countries (I’ve used it to pray during the past 2 soccer World Cups).
If you join me praying through the world this year, use the hashtag #OperationWorld if you plan on tweeting what you learn to help others pray with you.
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
(Revelation 5:9-10 ESV)
…has started blogging at DougFields.com, boom! Bookmark or subscribe to learn from the Jedi Master. Doug Fields has been involved in Youth ministry since 1979 and has written about 10,000 books. His blogging categories include: marriage; family, youth ministry and leadership. He’s probably not as smart as this guy, but still worth a read.
I’ve enjoyed learning from Doug’s ministry over the last 10+ years and look forward to reading more of his blog content. One of the things that encourages me about his ministry is that he doesn’t make ministry an idol but works hard to prioritise being a husband and father. Good stuff. Very wise.
…has started blogging at StuCrawshaw.com, boom! Bookmark or subscribe to pick up some pearls. Stu Crawshaw is a Youth Pastor in Gymea. He owns a green combi van.
He really is a smart youth ministry and cultural thinker, and he loves Jesus to boot!
