The Buried Life

We are kicking off a new Series at THE WAVE, the Student Ministry of Church by the Glades, called The Buried Life.  We got the concept from some students who had seen The Buried Life, a show on MTV, and thought that would be a cool concept for a series for our students…  and I totally agree.  The premise behind the series is that in life we manage a lot of different things, issues, and people.  It doesn’t take long for everything to pile up, and for us to feel like our entire life is about to collapse on top us and bury us alive.   Tonight we’re taking a look at how Jesus, even from a very early age, perfectly prioritized His life…

What in your life is overwhelming you right now???   (could be several whats, issues, or who(s) that are causing you to feel overwhelmed…  feel free to comment below…

3 hours and 3 thoughts

Our student ministry kicks off in about 3 hours.  Students will begin to trickle in and start converstations with one another.  Our leaders both students and adults will begin to set up different areas of our program.  There are a couple of guys who always are there to make sure the speakers and music are up and going.  A faithful mom volunteer finds paper plates and the money box to get ready for our snack bar.  Several young guys and girls begin to set up the sign in and first timers registration tables.  The student band preps for the intense worship service that will be in full motion in just a few hours…

A few thoughts as the hours count down…

*  Orange cones, loud speakers, greasy pizza, rowdy teenagers are all part of our ministry tonight.  If it’s not for our Creator, our Savior it’s all a waste of time, energy, and resources. 

Holy God, remind me that without you we don’t even exist.  Because of WHO YOU ARE that we are here.  Help me to always show up to show YOU off. 

*  In any given moment, with any given word, a teenagers life can be redirected for GOD or for bad. 

Father, use every second of our student ministry services to speak truth into the lives of the teenagers who show up to our ministry.  Use the pizza lines, check in tables, sports ministry, time of worship, words from our speaker, words from our leaders to speak faith, hope, and love into the lives of teenagers.  I hope every student’s spiritual ear clearly hears YOUR voice.

*  No matter what I perceive as success or failure is only partially correct.

All Sufficient God, you are in control.  Whether I feel like the message was a little messy or the band wasn’t it’s usual best, or the night didn’t go as planned, you are fully and totally in control.  I pray that I always show to give my very best, but also trust you to connect people to your God Truth, for you to reveal yourself in ways that only you can. 

friendship

friend : one attached to another by affection or esteem
: a favored companion

acquaintance, ally, alter ego, associate, bosom buddy, buddy, chum, classmate, cohort, colleague, companion, compatriot, comrade, consort, cousin, crony, familiar, intimate, mate, pal, partner, playmate, roommate, schoolmate, sidekick, soul mate, spare, well-wisher

How influential have friends been in your life?
In what ways have your friends influenced your life?

At THE WAVE, we are about to kick off a series called Pirates vs. Ninjas.  It’s going to be all about choosing your friends, fighting battles together, picking your friendship battles, ect.  When I think back on the history of my friendships I think about those friends who have really sculpted me into the person that I am… the person God continues to shape me into.

Preston taught me how to fight for the underdogs and introduced me to Christ.  John showed me to laugh at life and myself.  Erick taught me to what it is to really be a nice guy (I wish his coolness had rubbed off).  Jay taught me how to talk my way into or out of just about any situation in life.  Rusty pointed out how to be giving and to love Christ more deeply and authentically.  Micah helped me to develop discipline, and to understand discipleship.  Pete helped me to see how to be motivated and content at the same time.  Currently I have a whole new crew who are helping to show me wisdom, consistency, compassion.  My best friend:  Summer Joy, constantly teaches me about love, peace, trust, hope, and home.

*by the way, I’ve left out dozens of people, friends who have shaped my life and whom I love deeply.

Friendship is a powerful thing!  How has friendship moved you, changed you, developed you???
If you were teaching teens what would say to them?  What would you warn them of?  How would your encourage them?

¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24

How influential have friends been in your life?
In what ways have your friends influenced your life?

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Pirate or Ninja??? What say you…