Lately I have been thinking about this topic and decided to do a little reading on the subject, just to see if it really does matter what I listen to. Here is what I have found.
First, let's just look at something that can be easily seen in a group that we know listens to a lot of music. Yes, you always see them with their IPODS and MP3 Players, and talking about the latest artist. That is right, teenagers. Can you look at a group of teenagers and honestly say that they are not affected by the lyrics. In a lot of cases you can look at some kids and identify the kind of Music that they listen to. Young men with their straight brimmed ball caps, and saggy pants and you would guess Rap. Then you see a young man or woman wearing a carhart jacket, and tighter pants with a john deere hat and you would guess Country Music. Meanwhile, there are men and women who have multi colored hair, lots of piercings, with black clothes and dangling chains, and you would probably say heavy metal and punk music.
Now, these same people would probably tell you that they are not affected by the music that they listen to. You see, the funny thing is, that they really do not believe that it has, even though it has influenced their very appearance. These are just superficial, but, if this is the effect that the music has on their appearance, just imagine what the same music is doing to their mind. Constantly hearing music that objectifies women, about alcohol and drugs, about violence, death and suicide, and then look at the very lives that teens are living, and it does not take much looking to see where their very music bleeds through into reality.
It is a shame that such a thing could be prevented. I pray for these young people daily, that God would place a guard at the ears and eyes of these young people. God Help them face the world that they live in.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Are you just part of the crowd?
Recently I was reading about the woman with the issue of blood. This woman had done everything she could on her own to get well and finally in a last ditch effort decided that her only hope was to just touch Jesus. However, those that surrounded Jesus (the crowd), was an obstacle for this woman. Fortunately, she had the want to to get better. She pushed through the crowd and touched Jesus, and she received her healing.
Lets look at this in today's terms, sometimes, people who come in contact with our churches who are really hurting. We do not know their back story or the details of their lives and I have seen where the members, the saints if you will can act like the "crowd" and be a hindrance to people who just need to touch Jesus.
First off, let me clarify what I mean by church. I do not mean the building that we gather in to worship and hear the Word. What I am referring to is the living breathing church body. The people of God. The Crowd.
Our actions, our conversation, our demeanor all can help a person or hinder people from coming into contact with Jesus. Are we part of the problem or part of the solution? When people look at you are you an obstacle that they would have to overcome, or are you a help?
I pray that each and every person who reads this looks at their life to see whether or not they are being a real benefit to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God, and are willing to act upon what they see. Also, I hope that anyone who reads this, and has seemed to push against the crowd, having a hard time to get any real answers, feel free to email me. I would love to talk to you about the things of God. My email is mailman9394@roadrunner.com. I am looking forward to hearing from you! God Bless.
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
Lets look at this in today's terms, sometimes, people who come in contact with our churches who are really hurting. We do not know their back story or the details of their lives and I have seen where the members, the saints if you will can act like the "crowd" and be a hindrance to people who just need to touch Jesus.
First off, let me clarify what I mean by church. I do not mean the building that we gather in to worship and hear the Word. What I am referring to is the living breathing church body. The people of God. The Crowd.
Our actions, our conversation, our demeanor all can help a person or hinder people from coming into contact with Jesus. Are we part of the problem or part of the solution? When people look at you are you an obstacle that they would have to overcome, or are you a help?
I pray that each and every person who reads this looks at their life to see whether or not they are being a real benefit to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God, and are willing to act upon what they see. Also, I hope that anyone who reads this, and has seemed to push against the crowd, having a hard time to get any real answers, feel free to email me. I would love to talk to you about the things of God. My email is mailman9394@roadrunner.com. I am looking forward to hearing from you! God Bless.
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
What I believe!
This post will be just a brief rundown on what I believe with some supporting scripture. I will try not to go to deep or else this will be one very long blog, however, I will get to these topics in individual blogs at a later date!
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
- I believe that there is one God. Deut. 6:4, Mark 12:28:31
- I believe in the necessity of Holiness Standards. 1 Peter 1:15-17
- I believe in Jesus name baptism. Acts 2:38
- I believe in the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
Monday, November 14, 2011
Remember those who have gone on before you!
On February 23, 1836,
General Antonio López de Santa Anna's arrive in San Antonio, at a mission that had been turned into a fort, and referred to as "The Alamo". Here, nearly 200 men held off this army for 13 days until the it fell with no survivors. On April 21, 1836 in present-day Harris County, Texas, the Battle of San Jacinto was fought. This battle lasted for a mere 18 minutes, and the Mexican Army was soundly defeated with the capture of General Santa Anna on the following day. The rallying call that day was "Remember the Alamo". In other words, Remember those who laid down their lives for this cause!
Recently with passing of Bishop Kenneth Haney, I can't help but think about all the leaders who have dedicated their lives to this Gospel. Whether it was the early Apostles such as Stephen and Peter, or the modern-day heroes of the faith, Bro. Billy Cole, Bro. Mangun, Bro. J.T. Pugh, and of course Bro. Haney. These men had dedicated their lives to the Gospel, it was not just a belief, it wasn't simply a dream, but it was a whole hearted dedication to the word of God.
Meanwhile as these great leaders have gone on to their eternal reward with Jesus Christ, the battle is still raging. Is there young men and women who will stand up and remember those who have blazed the trail before us? Or will will sit back and watch the battle from a far? Imagine if there wasn't a Joshua to when Moses died? A man who was willing to take a stand and say "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord".
We have great leaders over us, our pastors, our sunday school teachers, our district leaders, and of course the general board. But all the leaders need support much as Moses received at the battle with Amalek. Joshua went into battle while Moses was on the hill. When Moses arms were lifted up the children of Israel would prevail, when his arms were down, Amalek would prevail. However, Aaron and Hur, sat Moses upon a stone and helped him old his arms up until the evening when Israel defeat Amalek. This is an account of the around the leadership rallying around him and "lifting" him up, supporting him and encouraging him as he is interceding for those that are literally in the heat of the battle.
In short, there are three different people that we can become.
1. We can fill the void of the leaders lost
2. We can support our leaders
3. or we can do nothing at all.
Dear God, with the loss of such great men of God as of late, I pray that you continue to lift up new men of God, who are not willing to depart from the old paths that you have laid! Lord, I also ask that you surround these men and women with others of like faith who will hold them up in prayer and in deed. I ask this in Jesus name!
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville, United Pentecostal Church
General Antonio López de Santa Anna's arrive in San Antonio, at a mission that had been turned into a fort, and referred to as "The Alamo". Here, nearly 200 men held off this army for 13 days until the it fell with no survivors. On April 21, 1836 in present-day Harris County, Texas, the Battle of San Jacinto was fought. This battle lasted for a mere 18 minutes, and the Mexican Army was soundly defeated with the capture of General Santa Anna on the following day. The rallying call that day was "Remember the Alamo". In other words, Remember those who laid down their lives for this cause!
Recently with passing of Bishop Kenneth Haney, I can't help but think about all the leaders who have dedicated their lives to this Gospel. Whether it was the early Apostles such as Stephen and Peter, or the modern-day heroes of the faith, Bro. Billy Cole, Bro. Mangun, Bro. J.T. Pugh, and of course Bro. Haney. These men had dedicated their lives to the Gospel, it was not just a belief, it wasn't simply a dream, but it was a whole hearted dedication to the word of God.
Meanwhile as these great leaders have gone on to their eternal reward with Jesus Christ, the battle is still raging. Is there young men and women who will stand up and remember those who have blazed the trail before us? Or will will sit back and watch the battle from a far? Imagine if there wasn't a Joshua to when Moses died? A man who was willing to take a stand and say "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord".
We have great leaders over us, our pastors, our sunday school teachers, our district leaders, and of course the general board. But all the leaders need support much as Moses received at the battle with Amalek. Joshua went into battle while Moses was on the hill. When Moses arms were lifted up the children of Israel would prevail, when his arms were down, Amalek would prevail. However, Aaron and Hur, sat Moses upon a stone and helped him old his arms up until the evening when Israel defeat Amalek. This is an account of the around the leadership rallying around him and "lifting" him up, supporting him and encouraging him as he is interceding for those that are literally in the heat of the battle.
In short, there are three different people that we can become.
1. We can fill the void of the leaders lost
2. We can support our leaders
3. or we can do nothing at all.
Dear God, with the loss of such great men of God as of late, I pray that you continue to lift up new men of God, who are not willing to depart from the old paths that you have laid! Lord, I also ask that you surround these men and women with others of like faith who will hold them up in prayer and in deed. I ask this in Jesus name!
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville, United Pentecostal Church
Monday, November 7, 2011
Whats your excuse?
Last night was a youth service at the Cardville UPC! Man did the power of God move. There was young people dancing and running the aisles! Chere' and Jess sang a song together that really blessed us! Followed by a message entitled What's your excuse based on the first chapter of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah chapter 1, God told Jeremiah that he was going to be a prophet to the nations to which Jeremiah replied, Ahh, Lord God. I am just a child, nobody is going to listen to me.
Basically, Jeremiah was saying hey God, do you realize who I am., but in the next two verses we see that God is saying, I know who you are Jeremiah, but do you know who I am? Sometimes we look at our own abilities not realizing that it is God who can do all things through us. God is so Good.
So in short, It was another amazing youth service, and I am looking forward to another one soon. God bless you all in Jesus name!
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
Basically, Jeremiah was saying hey God, do you realize who I am., but in the next two verses we see that God is saying, I know who you are Jeremiah, but do you know who I am? Sometimes we look at our own abilities not realizing that it is God who can do all things through us. God is so Good.
So in short, It was another amazing youth service, and I am looking forward to another one soon. God bless you all in Jesus name!
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Was Jesus a Socialist?
As of late I have read a couple articles about Jesus being a socialist, however after careful examination of scripture I have determined that this conclusion could not be further from the truth and is utterly baseless.
For instance, I have heard that when Jesus feed the 5000 he proved he was a socialist? Okay, lets look at this. Where did the food come from? A boy who volunteered his lunch (charity), If it was socialism it would have been taken from the boy by some government agency (tax) and the boy would not of had a choice. You see Jesus was all about free will. He would never force someone to do something. You see, even when he was talking to the Samaritan he asked her to get him water. He was God manifest in the flesh! He could have simply said get it for me now, but she had the right to refuse him if she wanted, but she didn't.
You see churches do this kind of work all the time, and they are called Charities, They feed the needy, they help the poor and downtrodden, and you know what, the people who do this type of work, probably 95% are volunteers, not someone who sits at a desk and decided who is qualified and gets a good wage and benefits to do it? But someone who cares and the only reward that they get is in heaven. Jesus is (I say is because he rose from the dead (unlike bud ha or mu hammed)) not a socialist, but a loving God who promoted Charity.
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
For instance, I have heard that when Jesus feed the 5000 he proved he was a socialist? Okay, lets look at this. Where did the food come from? A boy who volunteered his lunch (charity), If it was socialism it would have been taken from the boy by some government agency (tax) and the boy would not of had a choice. You see Jesus was all about free will. He would never force someone to do something. You see, even when he was talking to the Samaritan he asked her to get him water. He was God manifest in the flesh! He could have simply said get it for me now, but she had the right to refuse him if she wanted, but she didn't.
You see churches do this kind of work all the time, and they are called Charities, They feed the needy, they help the poor and downtrodden, and you know what, the people who do this type of work, probably 95% are volunteers, not someone who sits at a desk and decided who is qualified and gets a good wage and benefits to do it? But someone who cares and the only reward that they get is in heaven. Jesus is (I say is because he rose from the dead (unlike bud ha or mu hammed)) not a socialist, but a loving God who promoted Charity.
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Saturday Oct. 29th
On Saturday October 29th, the youth at Cardville United Pentecostal Church got together and had a time of discussion about prayer and it's effectiveness. These young people told many different accounts of how prayer had really effected their lives! After this time of discussion we spent some time talking to God. Around the room I had placed several signs each one with a different topic to pray about, (missionaries, School, leadership, youth, family, yourself and many others). I had my iphone plugged into the sound system playing music and whenever the song changed the young people would rotate to the next topic of prayer!
As a youth pastor I am so blessed to lead a group of young men and women who on a Saturday night, would come to the church and spend time in prayer. So many times, I have witnessed churches being more like a social club than the house of God, or as the scripture describes it, A house of prayer. God Bless you in your endeavors and remember to take some time today and talk with God.
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
As a youth pastor I am so blessed to lead a group of young men and women who on a Saturday night, would come to the church and spend time in prayer. So many times, I have witnessed churches being more like a social club than the house of God, or as the scripture describes it, A house of prayer. God Bless you in your endeavors and remember to take some time today and talk with God.
J.M.
Youth Pastor
Cardville United Pentecostal Church
Monday, October 31, 2011
My first Blog
This Blog is simply put, away for me to maybe help other youth pastors and leaders, as well as youth looking for ideas, and encouragement. I hope in the coming days to share some ideas for youth groups as well as some encouraging words from the word of God. Also, I will be including some more in depth studies on various topics. If there is anything that you would like to see talked about feel free to send me an email to let me know, or if you disagree with something that I say, feel free to voice your dissent in a polite manner as my response to you will be polite. I am not looking for everyone to agree with me, because you learn more about the word when you have someone (using scripture) who disagrees with you. That is all for now, as I begin to work on the next post. God Bless and keep me in your prayers.
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