Life is messy and pretty complicated at times. These two facts can cripple us and keep us from trying to accomplish anything in life. We fear failure. We don’t like the idea that something we start might not work out, or that we might not finish what we start.

Today I went to the JFK Presidential Library in Boston. While there I saw the quote that is in the picture. As I read the quote I thought about how that plays out in personal life and in ministry. The quote was the only thing posted in this large open space. The open space was meant to make the room look unfinished symbolizing the unfinished things in life.

In life, we need to not let the fear of failing or not completing something keep us from even starting. Dream big. Do things that scare you. Get uncomfortable. Live the life that God has called you to live. Much of life is about the journey and the things you learn along the way, and not as much about the destination.

In ministry, we need to continue doing what the Apostle Paul tells us and plant seeds. Some of those seeds we will see grow and flourish, others we won’t. That’s okay. God loves our students more that we do. He is more concerned about their life than we are. God will cause them to grow in HIS time, not ours. We need to remain faithful to planting seeds.

Life WILL get messy. Life WILL get complicated. Don’t let it stop you. “But let us begin”. Begin today.

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Rob Bell is an author that I really enjoy.  He just put out this video called “Resurrection” and it is pretty awesome. Check it out, I hope you enjoy it.

Resurrection: Rob Bell from The Work of Rob Bell on Vimeo.

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A couple weeks ago I wrote about why I liked working the at the NASCAR race. I thought I would share this little video that shows another reason I like working the race!

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Simply Youth Ministry just made an amazing video for the Simply Youth Ministry Conference.  This video made me laugh and shoud be watched and obeyed by ALL youth pastors.

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Last week my friend Daniel told me about a new Olympic event.  This one ranks right up there with some of the other great Olympic events.  We had better see this in Sochi in 2014.

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In youth ministry we continually explain to students the importance of living out our faith in everyday life.  You know, making our faith more than just a Sunday or Wednesday thing.  Probably for most in youth ministry this is something that we talk a lot about, but might not practice a lot in our own lives.  Our work environment is mostly Christian.  The pace of life can make it hard to have a lot of friends outside our ministries.  Living out our faith is done primarily to the audience of students.  So, really living out our faith can be pretty easy.

A couple years ago I got the opportunity to work at the NASCAR race in Fontana.  I admit it.  I like NASCAR.  There is just something about going around in circle for hours!  We work in the garage area (where all the cars and drivers are).  We guard the gates and make sure that only the right people get in.  The days are long with lots of standing around, but it is still really fun.  The thing about it that I enjoy the most is that it gives me the perfect opportunity to live out my faith.  No one there knows me.  I could go and be a totally different person and no one would know.  The environment there isn’t the best.  The language is rough. But leaning on God and being and example to others is awesome.  I am reminded of what life is like for my students everyday at school.  The choices they make about honoring God all the time.  It gives me greater compassion when they struggle, and when they mess up.  Living for God isn’t easy.  At times we mess up.  But man is it worth it!

As soon as I finish this I am leaving for the weekend.  Pray for me that I would be an example to those I work with.  Pray that they would see Christ through me.

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Unless you have been living under a rock you know what is going on in Haiti.  Maybe you have done something to help.  Maybe you haven’t.  Maybe you have wondered what you can do.  The probability of dropping everything and going just isn’t a really possible.  For most of the world they have gone back to normal life and have probably forgotten that for the people of Haiti, life will never be the same.  We seem quick to forget and go back to life as we know it.

There is a group of youth workers from around the US leaving Thursday for Haiti.  I have met a couple of these guys and they are the real deal.  They are guys with a heart for God and students.  I read a couple of their blogs on a regular basis and I appreciate their input into the youth ministry world.  I would ask you to be praying for the team as they leave and as they are gone.  You can get updates on the trip by joining their Facebook group or by signing up for prayer updates via email.  Marko, one of the guys going posted this video on his blog.  The organization they are going with Adventures in Missions put it together and it is great.  We are going to show it tomorrow night at Thrive Wednesday and challenge our students to do something to Help Haiti.

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It is crazy for me to even think about this.  It has been just two weeks since I first got the news about Cecily and her diagnoses of Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Last week my pastor asked us to pray in our JCC staff meeting for his son Brandon.  For a while Brandon had been having some serious symptoms and was scheduled to have an MRI.  Shortly after the MRI was completed the doctor called and scheduled a meeting for the next morning.  At the meeting the doctor said they discovered a 2″ tumor in the center of Brandon’s brain.  Surgery is scheduled for this wednesday (Feb. 10) at 1:00pm.  We are asking for everyone to pray for complete removal of the tumor and no lasting side effects for Brandon. 

Brandon was one of my students early on in my ministry at JCC.  He has also been a student ministry staff, and is currently involved with our main service band.

To show support for Brandon a Facebook page has been set up where you can send words of encouragement to him and his family, and also keep informed of the latest news.

Thanks for praying and pass this on to anyone you know!  As Brandon said, “God is good, no matter what happens to me, God is good.”  Please pray.

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As a lot of you know, Cecily Carrillo one of our former students and Thrive Staff has been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  She is currently in Australia with YWAM and will be coming home soon for treatment.  Some of her friends have created a Facebook group and a website insupportodcecily.com to keep updated on her progress and well as encourage Cecily.

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