Shake Off The Rust

I think when you do something for a long time, then you don't do it for a long time, it's like getting back on the old proverbial bike. For example, I played basketball growing up. In fact, just about everyday I was somewhere (usually in my driveway) playing basketball. I could go months, even a year or so without picking up a basketball and after a few shots, be right back in the groove.

It's been almost 3 years since I left youth ministry. It was a tough decision, but one that was best for me and my family. I haven't really looked back since. Due to some recent circumstances, I've had to get back on that bicycle. Well, it was really like I never stopped riding in a sense. We had our first youth devotional this past Sunday night and I felt right at home. I felt just as comfortable as I did at the last one I did at University. It was fun getting back out there with the kids, and of course, my kids loved it!

Now I have the task of planning out the next year's worth of events. But things differ with where you find yourself. Things that I did in Montgomery may not necessarily work here. So now I really have to re-learn what I was doing before to be successful at what I am trying to do now. I have to once again be creative with young people. I'm creative with my sermons (as much as I can be), but it's been a while since I've been creative with planning events for teens who I find myself more removed from than ever (I'm more than double most of their ages)! Yes it's important to plan events that they will enjoy, events that will draw them closer together. However, in my opinion, what is most important is forming a relationship with them that will help me to be a positive influence on their lives. That's what I want to do. I want them to get to know me, to trust me, and to be willing to talk to me about things that concern them in their lives. Why? Because I know that I am at least one person (besides mom and dad, because most kids don't want to listen to mom and dad, no matter how right they are) that will give them good sound advice to help them get to heaven. Pray for me, pray for these kids, pray for their parents, and pray for the others that will be involved along with me in helping these kids to have some memorable moments in their youth that will help shape, mold, and guide them to being servants of God their entire lives!

Mr. Inconsistency

I will admit that I am Mr. Inconsistency when it comes to blogging. Partly because I don't always have time, partly because it's just not that important to me. I don't mind being labeled that way when it comes to things such as blogging, because we all know that blogging isn't that important in our lives.

I wonder how many people though, might label themselves as "inconsistent" in their spiritual lives? For example, maybe one week they spend a great amount of time praying as they should, reading their Bibles, etc. and then the next week only a prayer or two here or there. Maybe they read their Bible one day and that's it. They drift away from God and then come back to Him, only to repeat that pattern every few months or years.

Think about men like Noah who the Bible said "walked with God" (Gen. 6:9). There was a man who could not be labeled as "inconsistent". Now that doesn't mean that he was without any faults, but he consistently followed God and was righteous before Him (Gen. 7:1). That's the kind of man I want to be like. A man who is not sporadic in his faith, but consistent. A man who, although he may have his share of problems in life, doesn't let those things come between him and his God. Just a random spiritual thought for the day.