Youth of our nation

(Here, Josh is speaking to a crowd of kids and adults during a small town block party.)

As I have mentioned before, Josh loves to speak to youth. Put any size crowd in front of him and he will light up and give them his all. His main goal is to reach youth through speaking to them about biblical truth. However he doesn't leave them with just what to believe, but why they can believe in Jesus and the Bible.

Every where we go Josh speaks to both youth and their parents. The overarching goal and purpose though is to impact the youth of this generation. Josh sees that we are losing the youth in our churches and realizes how they have been abandoned and hurt. His whole life has been devoted to studying youth and their culture, and how to best reach them. I feel honored and love to be a part of what the ministry is doing. We see so many people, but really do get to interact on an individual basis whenever possible.

My responsibilities keep me busy and take up most of the time during an event. Every now and then I get to meet and speak to students. I've had the privilege of meeting some neat kids around the country. I thought they would never listen to me, but I really show that I care about them. I want them to know the person of Jesus Christ. The two main events or seminars that we put on are a parent/adult seminar and a youth seminar. Josh speaks to students from all kinds of churches and schools for three hours. It keeps their attention very well. Coming into their world must mean a lot to them because they really listen and desire to seek truth and learn more about Christianity.

The youth seminars usually take place during the week when students are in school. We go to Christian schools and churches. When we arrive, we unload the packed van and head inside to get things ready in a timely fashion. My goal is to find the person in charge of sound and media and become best friends immediately. I work to get the sound stuff set up and make sure the PowerPoint presentation is working properly. When I feel good about those two things, I typically go help the other guys with resources.

The youth seminar consists of three talks; Josh's testimony, the validity of the Bible, and a talk on abstinence and true love. The last one is when he gets the most reaction from the students and even the parents. He really challenges his audience to think and be smart about the choices they make. He is straight forward when speaking and regularly shocks you with some of the things he says. This 68 year old man acts a lot younger in the midst of a youthful audience. They give him new life.

At the end of the first talk Josh walks into the audience to ask students questions about their faith. This part is very interesting, but more than anything really sad. I will show you what I mean. The first question asked is, “are you a Christian?” Typically the student replies, “Yes.” Then he asks, “Why.” You should see their faces; you would think it was a trick question. Then over and over, student after student, around the country give heartbreaking answers. They go like this, “Because, I believe in God,” which is the wrong answer, “Because of my parents” and “Because, I have faith.” These are the obstacles that we are trying to repair. None of them know why the Bible is true and very few have convictions where their faith is played out in changing their life. Students are desperate for answers and the church is part to blame.

In the end, they come out of that seminar knowing they are not alone and they can trust in the Bible, as being without error and unchanged. They really absorb the information, because they are hungry for answers. They see that there is absolute truth and a lot of their post-modern thinking is wrong. May the Lord continue to reach this younger generation for His glory.

Preach it with passion.

Thoughts from the road

Being on the road has been an adventure, one with trials and triumphs. It is hard to be away from my family and friends for a period of time. However, I am delighted to know that they are praying for me and missing me too. So thank you to my family and friends for all your support. Feel free to call my anytime during the day. I would love to hear from you.

This post may not have an intended purpose to make you laugh or tell you a story. It will just be a compilation of thoughts over the past weeks and the things that have played a role into culminating those thoughts and eventually actions. Then again I may not even be able to completely express those thoughts in writing. Most of the time that is hard for me to do.

I love to pursue and ponder my walk with Christ. I know the Lord is full of grace and justice. In his mercy he still pursues and loves those that he has called to righteousness. One of the questions that I have been thinking about during this time is whether we grow more in pursuing the Lord in our own strength or when we or I learn the most during times that seem dry? Maybe it is both or maybe it is not even worth questioning. How do you miss a man that you have never seen but, you have spoken with him and he answers in return? Than man is Jesus Christ and in his endless mercy he chooses to love and speak to his rebellious creation.

Take a step out of where you are and even into the expanse of the universe. Wonder at how much God has created, speaking the world and the heavens into existence. He knows every star and something that truly amazes me is that he knows every needle on every tree on his earth.

(Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? Psalm 113:5-6)

These thoughts should humble us and cause us to fall at the feet of King Jesus in wonder and fear. I always wonder why I cannot bring myself to this level of humility. Perhaps God will bring me there and that is best. Am I rebelling against my creator in not responding rightly to him? Does he have the right to crush me in his justice? He certainly does. How the psalmist David cried; O Lord, I identify with his cry and say how wonderful the father’s love that he would crush his son instead.

(Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. Psalm 68:20)

The world should weep in thankfulness; however they curse and blaspheme the very God that created their wicked tongue. However, I cannot put myself before any of these. I am to love my enemy and even pray for them. Where would I be if God had not snatched me from the fire? I desire the passion do help snatch others from the flames, but only Christ can produce that.

(…He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9)

Ultimately that is what answers my thoughts and questions. You ask what, that what, is the sovereignty of God. God knows best and will do as he pleases. He causes all things to work together for his purpose. I cannot question my creator. Paul says in Romans, “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”

I hope that you can understand a little of what I am writing. I miss you all and hope that you are finding refuge in King Jesus.
Preach it with Passion