Experiencing GOD: Hearing Voices

In his book, Experiencing GOD, Blackaby comments,

“Sin has so affected us (see Romans 3:10-11) that you and I cannot understand GOD’s truth unless the Holy Spirit reveals it. He is the Teacher. When He teaches you the Word of GOD, carefully listen to Him and respond to Him. As you pray, watch to see how He uses the Scripture to confirm in your heart a word from GOD. Watch what He is doing around you and in your circumstances. The GOD who is speaking to you as you pray and the GOD who is speaking to you in the Scriptures is the GOD who is also working around you” (Blackaby, Blackaby, & King, 2007, p.43).

Henry’s comment really hit home as I survey my life right now. Truth be told, between my iPod, iMac, iWork, and iChat, I have enough noise in my life to drown out an atomic explosion, much less the voice of GOD.

And sadly enough, most of the time this noise is not the sounds of the secular world; For me, these are often the decibels of ministry, religion, and good works. Even the “right things” in my life may drown out the voice of GOD.

Further, as proud as I may be of my astute answers in Sabbath School, or some profound insight I share in small group, Romans 3, makes it clear that I really “don’t get it.” My own, self-generated efforts to be spiritual are moot, and my eloquent religious comments come from a throat that is an open grave (Romans 3:13). Wow.

It is only in surrender, submission and faith in Jesus Christ that I have righteousness (Romans 3:21-26). And Blackaby suggests that it is through the tutoring of the Holy Spirit that I can discern GOD’s voice, or should I say voices.

• Hearing GOD’s voice through the study of the Bible.
• Hearing GOD’s voice through an intimate prayer life.
• Hearing GOD’s voice by observing what Jesus is doing in the world.

As I turn down the volume in my iWorld, as I surrender to Jesus, as I submit to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, I have great hopes to clearly hear the voices of GOD speak to me. I trust you too will hear the voices.

GOD has not changed. He still speaks to His people.

Experiencing GOD: The Deeper Series

Experiencing GOD is a powerful personal process, but there is something to be said about its impact when done in community. Last Fall, Deeper was part of a church-wide series on Experiencing GOD. Find embedded in this blog a video presentation by Pastor Dany Hernandez. You can find more from Deeper’s Experiencing GOD series in their message archive. May GOD bless your pursuit of Him. May your exploration, seeking out where GOD is working in your world, astonish you and inspire you to join in.

Young Adult Ministry Leadership

I just came home after a fun-filled week at Andrews, teaching Young Adult Ministry Leadership at the seminary; it’s one of the courses in the Campus Spiritual Leadership Certificate program. Among my many students, fellow blogger Lisa Hope.

Over the course of the week we seek to come to an understanding of the young adult stage of life, issues facing young adults today, their attitudes toward life, work, Jesus, and the church, and how we can respond. We were greatly benefited by some wonderful guest lecturers, including Steve Yeagley (from AU’s student services, talking about how university systems interconnect, and the place of campus ministry), Alvin Glassford (giving the perspective of an academy Bible teacher), Allan Walshe (speaking about spiritual formation), and Ron Whitehead (speaking about Cruise with a Mission as a model of young adult ministry). Also among the students, Prof. John Matthews, currently teaching in the school of education and the seminary, a former dean of boys at Newbold College.

We spoke of different kinds of young adult ministry, but our focus was on ministry at secular colleges and universities, and it was great having Lisa able to share her experiences at Advent House.

This capped a month of travel for me. I had been at the SEEDS church planting conference at Andrews in June, thinking about the need to plant churches where young adults live (in the cities, not the suburbs). Then I spoke at Northern New England camp meeting about young adult ministry, urging them to develop a model that not only welcomes all who visit, but involves young adults as adults the life and mission of the church, and puts an emphasis on outreach to all the places we find young adults today–the college campus, the city, the coffee shop, the military. These were themes I brought to bear also in this class.

This certificate program is an excellent opportunity for young adults and those who minister to them to get a firm grounding in this vital ministry–but we need to do a much better job of advertising it. That’s why I’m posting it here. And I want to throw out the question–how can we advertise it better? Did you know about it? Where do you get information?

Also, we need to more aggressively market young adult ministry to church leadership, including pastors and conference and union administrators. Allan has a good article in the latest Ministry, and it’s a good example of what we can do and need to do. But there is so much more.  “The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few.”

Experiencing GOD: Where in the World is GOD?

Experiencing GOD talks about watching to see where GOD is working in the world. And often times we think of places, maybe the mission field or a secular urban city. But in my decades of ministry experience I have often found GOD working in young adults. Young adults like Elisa Brown.

Just before the turn of the century, Elisa was in lay leadership at Forest Lake Church’s Deeper, actively involved with a team that was forming young adult community during a very difficult time in the church’s history. As a form of support, a sister church constructed a prayer room within the Forest Lake Church to help the members/staff through a time of stress/hurt/recovery. It was very meaningful Elisa and her peers, that would have a rippling effect in the years to come.

In 2001, GODencounters started with young adults leaders like Elisa and the Deeper team, basically wanting to encourage young adults to pursue a 24/7 experience of the living GOD. Elisa served as our coordinator of volunteers in 2005 when we gave special emphasis to prayer. She has been actively involved with GODencounters throughout, sharing Jesus with thousands of young adults both locally and nationally.

GOD has lit a fire in Elisa.

An employment opportunity moved her to the Chicagoland area in 2006, but this did not deter Elisa’s efforts to continue to share Jesus. There in Illinois Conference, she was instrumental in starting Oasis, fostering young adult community with GOD and each other. The Young Adult Convocation which convenes each summer is an outgrowth of Oasis.

And the fire keeps spreading.

Elisa’s passion for prayer and GODencounters has spurred her to share with her workplace and community. She served in leadership at the Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, where she helped in coordinating a 24/7 prayer room in their chapel. The story was picked up by the Chicago Tribune and received national coverage in USA Today.

But GOD is fanning the flame further.

After many months of prayerful deliberation, Elisa has accepted an opportunity to work with Adventist Health International in Malawi, AFRICA in the areas of Finance and Administration. She will be leaving for Malawi in July 21 and has committed to living there for 2 years. During this time she will be living at Malamulo Seventh-day Adventist Hospital. One can keep up with her adventures at her blog. There are many needs in Malawi and especially with the hospitals and clinics in the country. Currently Engineers Without Borders is working to completely rebuild the water system which will cost approximately $300,000-400,000. There are other needs like satellite internet, vehicle repairs, missionary support, computers, etc. If anyone is able or willing to help financially please direct your tax deductible donation to Adventist Health International and mark it “Malawi”. Most of all please remember Elisa in your prayers as she makes this transition.

GOD has responded to Elisa’s prayer by revealing His will. Watching GOD work through Elisa, observing Him ask her to move to Africa has been inspiring. It is profound how prayer has invaded every aspect of her life; GOD has fueled His fire, offering Elisa her next challenge overseas. And she is joining GOD in what He is doing.

Elisa is but one flame of many that are ignited.

Elisa has a wonderful story. But this is only one of countless stories of GODfollowing young adults changing the world for Jesus. We will miss Elisa’s leadership as part of the Young Adult Ministry Advisory, but wholeheartedly support what GOD is doing through her life. I write this to affirm Elisa and commend her faithfulness to the conversations she has been having with Christ. I see a sincere heart of service in her that exemplifies the Savior’s passion in so many ways.

Where in the world is GOD? I see Him working in the lives of countless young adults. Young adults who are recklessly walking in His footsteps, spreading His fame. Young adults like Elisa Brown.

Experiencing GOD: Relationship Required?

In Blackaby’s Experiencing GOD, he shares his assumption that one needs to already have a relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior in order to really get something out of his book.

“If you have not made this most important decision in your life, the rest of this book will have little meaning for you…” (p. 2).

I concur with Henry’s prerequisite, but his introductory premise sparked some curious questions in my head that I pose here in hopes you might have answers or at least opinions.

Jesus Christ Spotted At Wal-Mart

• What does it mean to “have a relationship with Jesus Christ?”
• What decisions have to be made to make the relationship with Jesus happen?
• Can a person be a church member [In the case of my/our faith, Seventh-day Adventist] and not have a relationship with Jesus? Explain.
• Where is the best place to get or start a relationship with Christ?
• How can people love Jesus and not love the church? Or visa versa?
• What are the differences between being a Christian, being a Seventh-day Adventists, and being a Christ-follower? What are the similarities? Does it matter? Explain?
• Who is authorized to help a person to get a relationship with Jesus?
• What role does Jesus play in my life? Really. Honestly.

You don’t have to respond to all, but sure would love to see/read what’s on your mind for some of these questions that popped up for me.

Experiencing GOD: Directions when LOST

I’m the type of guy, who likes to know where he’s going. I get all jazzed when mapquest or google maps give me every single turn and distance, getting me from here to there. I like having a clear sense of direction and knowing what to expect. Give me the big picture and then I’ll sign on. I like having the answers before the quiz. I like to know what’s up ahead.

So you can probably predict that I don’t like being lost, I’m not big on suspense, and I’m not much for asking for directions. An example of this would be my complete frustration and exasperation with the show LOST, with it’s characteristic lack of coherent direction, absence of closure, and the endless questions that no one seems to mind are left unanswered. Flusters me to no end!

When Experiencing GOD asked the question “When you come to the Lord Jesus to seek His will for your life…” Clearly my response was that I typically want the Who-What-When-Where-How-How Much-Why all spelled out in detail, along with what the outcome will be. Doesn’t everyone?

In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” and in reference, Experiencing GOD suggests that Jesus is my “Map.” Further, Blackaby says that the way Jesus gives me direction requires me to follow Him one day at a time.

Clearly the amount of trust that requires is challenging. Am I ready to trust GOD enough to relinquish navigating my own life? Especially when I feel lost, am I willing to trust that GOD knows where He’s going? Am I willing to turn over my control and let Jesus be my Way, relinquishing any other road map for my life?

Blackaby talks about driving with a farmer to the farmer’s home, “Because there was more than one way to get to his house, he (the farmer) could have taken me any way he wanted to. You see he was my map. What did I have to do? I simply had to listen to him and do what he said. . . He took me a way I had never been and could not have discovered on my own. I could never retrace that route by myself. The farmer was my map; he knew the way.”

Today I am challenged with this statement:

Jesus is my Way. I don’t need any other road map.

Young Adult ReNEWal

An East Texas area young adult event will be held during the Ark-La-Tex Camp Meeting at the Jefferson Academy Church (Texas) on July 25-26. The young adult/youth event begins at 7:00 p.m. Friday night with Café Renewal and continues Sabbath with services beginning at 10:00 a.m. For more information call or email Lane Campbell at the Texas Conference Young Adult Ministries Department, 817-790-2255 ext. 143 – lcampbell@txsda.org Web site: www.youngadults.texasadventist.org.

Live His Mercy, Love, and Sacrifice

A Valley/San Antonio (Texas) area young adult event will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown McAllen July 18-19. The event begins on Friday night at 7:00 pm and continues Sabbath with services beginning at 10:00 am. For more information you may call or email Raphael Balarini (956.221.9533 – raphalink@hotmail.com) or Pastor Armando Miranda (965.230.0227 – ptrmirandjr@excite.com) or Lane Campbell with the Texas Conference Young Adult Ministries Department, 817-790-2255 ext.143 – lcampbell@txsda.org Web site: www.youngadults.texasadventist.org.

Almost Like Being There

With gas, food, and life as expensive as it is, it’s difficult to be everywhere you want to be…in person. And with the flurry of young adult gatherings this summer, cloning might have had to be involved to get you to all the places you wanted to be.

So find here a couple of links to various media files that can give you glimpses of the young adult gatherings we have had this year so far.

Of course this is not a comprehensive collection. If you know of other links let me know, and I will gladly add them to this list.

Cafe Renewal {held in conjunction with Texas Conference young adult gatherings}

• Photos from the Texas Conference website

GODencounters Conference – Florida

• Feature article online at PlusLine
• Video streams of this year’s conference as well as an archive of past presentations.
• Photos on Facebook, but you can view them even if you don’t have Facebook (public link)
• Photos on MySpace

GODencounters Conference – Tennessee

• Audio stream of Sam Leonor’s Sabbath morning message.
• Audio stream of Sam Leonor’s Saturday night presentation.
• Praise Worship mp3 files.
• Photos on Facebook, but you can view them via this public link.
• Article in the Southern Tidings.

GODencounters Sabbath – Pennsylvania

• Photos in Facebook album (available for public viewing)

GODencounters Weekends – New Jersey

• Photos thanks to Cherry Hill SDA Church
• MySpace Photo Album

IGNITION

• Go to AdventSource to purchase CDs and/or DVDs of the general sessions.
• Get a panoramic tour of the encounters cafe, a space created for young adults to relax, refresh, and relate.
• Photos in Facebook (public link).
• Feature article in the Northwest Gleaner.

Would love to have you share what other links are out there for young adult gatherings. It’s almost like being there.

Identity Theft

sometimes i feel like my identity has been stolen!

fraud has been committed.

not my social security card, credit cards, etc…

but my actual identity. not the stuff that says who i am, what i own, how much i’ve got or owe.

but me. my actual identity – who i actually am.

by whom? by what?

before you think i forgot to take my meds… hear me out… maybe this will resonate with you.

what makes up a persons identity?

think about it. it’s the persons name, family, friends, job/career, culture, history… but mostly, it’s what PEOPLE think about you and what YOU think about yourself and how much you allow those thoughts to mold you – you identify with those thoughts – thus creating your “identity.”

Wikipedia says that identity formation is the process “by which a person is recognised or known (such as the establishment of a reputation). This process defines an individual to others and themselves.”

Do you want to be “defined” by your “reputation”? The one that others think about you? The one that you think about yourself??? Which reputation, from which group of people?

It sounds like identity theft to me!

I mean, seriously, most people build up a reputation that does not accurately reflect their true self. Right? I’m not saying it always happens… but so often, we put on a face, whether for good or bad, in order to accommodate our social setting. Consciously or not, we have different faces for different places. We commit fraud — we are fake, not the real deal.

Average Joe is a different guy at church than he is at the sports bar, or when he’s at work or playing family games with the kids.

The epitome of this idea can be best understood in the life of a teenager, who is coming to terms with who they are, but cannot risk to expose all of their experimentation with individualism. How many teenagers are THE same person with their parents as they are with their friends? What’s ironic is that as teenagers, most of us made comments like, “My parents just don’t understand me,” as if we really understood ourselves!

Can we afford to have our identity come from what others think about us, or from what we think about ourselves? Is there another way?

It’s one of the existential questions — Who am I?

I guess that depends on where you find your identity?

Do you find it in your car? Your clothes? Your career? Your cash?

Or can it be found . . . in your Creator?

God says we are his sons and daughters. Do we believe him? Or will we let Visa and Versace dictate who we are or are not, by what we have or have not?

The stupid and the intelligent things we do often give us our reputation.

Is our identity in what we do, or can it be in what God has already done?

Is our identity in what we or others think about ourselves, or is it in what God thinks about us?

Maybe our true identity cannot be defined by the things of this world… but by the One who made the world and gave us life.

Besides, who knows you better than the One who made you?

You and I are both guilty of identity theft. We are frauds . . . fakes!

We have stolen our true identity by pretending to be somebody we were not created to be!

But our identity can be formed by what God thinks about us and what He has done for us by coming to this world in the life of Jesus Christ and becoming our sin, dying as our sacrifice, restoring to us our original eternal identity. In Christ, we have eternal value. He paid the infinite price for us. Our identity in Christ means we are of unmeasurable worth.

Won’t we stop stealing our God-given identities by trying to be somebody we were not created to be? and start living like sons and daughters of the Most High God? … all the time, in every situation?

I want to be the same person I am supposed to be all the time.

No faking.

Totally real… authentic… transparent… me.

By God’s grace, I am what I am. (1 Cor.15:10)

Let’s be children of God.