A lot of people say you should know what you want. The idea is that if you know your desires than you will have clearly defined goals so you can get what you want. The world tells us that it is important for us to get what we want. Have you spent time thinking about what you want?

More importantly, have you spent some time thinking about what God desires? Sometimes find myself getting caught with “doing ministry,” and I forget to spend time focusing on the One it is all for. I need to constantly remind myself to spend time in the Word to understand God’s heart and what He desires for me and for His people.

I don’t want to be caught up in my desires. I want to be caught up in His.

Here are a few scriptures about God’s desires.

Psalm 40:5-6
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Genesis 12:2-3
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”

James 1:19-21
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Ecclesiastes 7:14
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Last month, on MTV’s music video awards show, Jack Black led millions of people in a supposed prayer to Satan.

I actually hadn’t even heard about it until just recently. It’s surprising that this didn’t grab more attention from conservative Christian talk show hosts and news outlets.

The prayer was definitely slapstick and playful in the way it was carried out. When he finished, Jack asked, “How’d I do?” But it is still quite freightening.

In today’s culture, it’s okay to joke about spiritual things. It’s okay to playfully pray to Satan and ask for his blessing. It’s especially okay to poke fun at Christianity along the way.

What message does this send to our children and our students? “Don’t take religion to seriously. Especially when it comes to Christianity, because you can have a lot more fun dabbling in other stuff.”

Even more important, what’s happening spiritually? “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

These are scary times my friends. Let us pray, and pray urgently for the Lord to protect and work in the hearts of this generation!

You can watch the “prayer” on YouTube here. Whoever uploaded the video added their own commentary as well.

So many times, I find myself losing track of the promises that God has already made. Here are some verses on just a few of the incredible promises God has made throughout scripture.

It amazes me, not just how wonderful and perfect God’s promises are, but how faithful He is to fulfill them.

If you are asking what God has been doing for you lately, take a look at these passages. We can rest easy knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them.

Read the rest of this entry »

I was reading the Jesus’ sermon on the mount (aka the Beatitudes) this morning and feeling pretty good about myself. That is, until I got here:

“And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Matthew 5:40-42

This is tough. It really is. I try to live this way, but usually I just… don’t want to.

And then I got here:

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48

Wow. Well, I don’t think Jesus actually expects us to be perfect–He wouldn’t have died on the cross if that were the case.

But I do think He might be pointing out just how far we’ve fallen, and just how much we need Him. Praise God for His forgiveness! And for His strength to help us look more like Him.

In the small town of Fort Oglethrope, Georgia, the high school cheerleaders had a tradition of putting scriptures on the banners that the football team would run through at the beginning of games.

But one person complained, and school officials were afraid of a big lawsuit (which is a pretty rational fear these days), so they outlawed the practice.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’m so sorry I haven’t posted much lately. I’ve been thinking and praying about some new posts, and I promise that they are coming soon! But I couldn’t wait to tell you about this…

A new youth ministry networking group is starting in the Northwest Chicago area! Our first meeting will be in Crystal Lake on October 1st (details below). The goal of this group is to provide you with an encouraging atmosphere and help you build strong relationships with other youth workers.

If you’re in the area, please come for some good times. Be ready to meet other youth workers, share ideas, and pray together. We will talk about how a youth ministry network could best serve you, help you reach teens in your community, and equip you as a youth worker.

When: Next Thursday, October 1st at 4pm
Where: Panera Bread in Crystal Lake, IL
Please RSVP to Nathaniel Dame: (440) 220-5626 or nathaniel@calledtoyouthministry.com

Let me know if you’re coming, or if you’ll be late (I will be sticking around later if needed).

We’ve heard rumors of other networks already in the area. We’re looking forward to connecting with them too and hopefully joining forces.

If you know a youth worker in the area, please send this invitation. All are welcome!

Can’t wait!

Spout Springs Church in Cameron, NC is looking for a Student Ministries/Tech Pastor.

Responsibilities include leading the student ministry, developing leadership teams, and overseeing all technical ministries.

Interested? Get a hold of Pastor Steve. Details and contact information can be found on Pastor Steve’s blog, or you can find him on Twitter: @stevedavis1

There’s a lot of exciting stuff coming for our ministry, Called to Youth Ministry.

We’ve got a youth ministry resource library that will be going live in the next few weeks, plus the coaching program for youth pastors, the Next Level Partnership, will be launching soon.

I can’t wait to see everything that God has in store! Stay tuned for details, and if you want to learn more, you can listen to our last ministry update conference call right here.

One area that I see a lot of my friends and many youth pastors struggle with is sanctification–or namely, perfectionism.

I don’t know how it happens, but somehow it has become easy for believers to first be enamored by the love and grace of God, in spite of anything and everything they have done, only to feel a few months or years later that they have to do something to earn that grace.

Well, I read a verse this morning that I thought was extremely encouraging, addressing that issue directly. Read the rest of this entry »

Are we loosing teens while they are still right in front of us?

According to a study by Ken Ham, founder and president of Answers in Genesis, we’re loosing the next generation of believers before they even graduate from high school. (details here)

He found that:

• 95 percent of 20- to 29-year-old evangelicals attended church regularly during their elementary and middle school years. Only 55 percent went to church during high school. And by college, only 11 percent were still attending church.
• Nearly 40 percent of the surveyed twentysomethings first had doubts about the Bible in middle school. Another 43.7 percent said they first doubted that all of the accounts and stories in the Bible are true during their high school years. Only around 10 percent said they first became doubtful about the Bible accounts during college.

What do you think? Are we loosing teens, even while they are still attending church?