All things

This weekend I'm taking a camp where we will be looking at the book of Titus in the New Testament. Had a read of it this morning to get myself ready. Here are somme things I discovered, which I hadn't cottoned onto before . . .(I'm a slow learner)

"To the pure, all thing are pure, but to those who are corruped and don't beleive, nothing is pure." Titus Ch :15

Paul is comparing those who hold firmly to the gospel message and those who talk religion, but are in reality far far from God.

Things to note

1. It is a very in your face way to talk about those who aren't Christians yet. Do you think it's fair?

2. I used to assume that when it said, 'to the pure all things are pure' that if you were a Christian, then everything was always gong well for you - you never made a mistake. But that's not true is it?

This morning I realised that if you have been made pure by the forgivenss offered by Jesus then all things will fall under that. There is no more sacred / secular divide - everything must be made to come into line with the forgiven life.

So for the beleiver he/she will insist on being pure with
* facebook
* how they drive
* who they talk to and and how they do it, before during and after church
* what they spend their money on

You get the idea.

Got me thinking, do I treat all things as part of my new life of purity in Christ?

Hmmmmmmmmm.

Scott

An almost B'day post

It's my birthday today.

Yes, thank you.

And I've got in mind a special birthday post, but for now, some pics from this morning with my little Jemma girl.

Unless you are a casual surfer who happened by this blog, (if that is you, welcome!) you will no doubt know that I am a youth minister. And before I was doing this as a vocation, I was doing it anyway. That means that I have sat through, spoken at, and lead over a decade worth of weekly youth group meetings.

This Sunday just past, however, was something special.

Senior Youth really moved me quite deeply.

I'm not 100% sure why, but here are some possible reasons.

1. We have a band made up of 90% youth group members and they ae dedicated, full of passion and growing in musical skill and Christian maturity. It's beautiful to see.

2. It struck me almost from the beginning that our times together on Sunday are profoundly Christian. In a meaningful real way, not a dorky forced and painful kinda way. (This is not a surprise mind you - it's what we work for each week but it's great when you see it so powerfully)

3. Kid's were praying. We are blessed to expect that almost every week, but I am hearing prayers that really make sense.

4. I was worried for one of our kids who was going through a bit of a tough time. I was wondering (as I sat there in the meeting) if we were doing enough to help her. Then 2 min. later she prays, 'God, thanks for our leaders who run the small groups. This whole fellowship vibe thing really works.' Enough said.

5. It was a heck of a lot of fun. We laughed a lot.

6. My leaders are really starting to nail it. They think it through and hit the bulls eye more times than not.

7. Catherine (another leader) gave the talk this past week and it was really good. I have yet to tell her that it helped me personally but I will tell her.

These may be some of the reasons, but it seems more than that. I guess you had to be there. But it is true that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. I'm guessing the other factor that I haven't accouted for is God working in our hearts by His Spirit, and I am eternally grateful for that.

Scott