Youth Fix

Who do you love?

Youth Fix Writer — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:35:59 GMT

Who do you love? There is a title that will get you humming that famous song by Bo Diddley!

But really, who or what DO you love? When asked "Do you love God?" Most Christians immediately say "YES, of course!" But are we being honest in our response? How often do we really put His will (desires) before our own? Are we truly consumed with the desires He has for our lives and not our own? Ask yourself this question:

Do I desire God's will above my own happiness?

Much easier to just say, "I love God", right? To love God is not an emotional feeling like happiness. To love God means to give ourselves over to Him. To set aside our self wants and allowing Him to shine through us from our heart and soul. Matthew 16:24 "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Do what Jesus would do!

This is what it means to love God.

Humans really are lacking in their ability to truly love. No one can love like God can love. God gave His Son for you, for me, for us. Yet, even still, Jesus can't get enough of you. Can you imagine that? That He loves you so much. The "take up the cross and follow me" saying has a whole new meaning when you think of what that cross means.

Agape love is a totally selfless love, unconditional, and always giving. That is the love that God gives to us.

As humans, we are no longer centered in agape love, we tend to limit our relationships to what we can get from the other person or what we think the person wants or can take from us. The "If you agree with me, I will love you" philosophy. This type of love ends when someone doesn't get what they want. Since we think of this as love, we often get confused by God-like, agape love. We think that God loves us when we are good, pleasing, acknowledging Him and doing His work. But God just loves us, asking for nothing, giving everything.

The good news is that we are created in His image, therefore, we too are capable of agape love. Try loving others with a little less expectation. It's a start. Then spend some time with God each day. Remember, we talk to those we love and He wants to talk to you!

Rebel like Jesus

Youth Fix Writer — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:30:00 GMT

One of my favorite songs is "The Rebel Jesus" by Jackson Browne. It is a Christmas season type of song that focuses on the real meaning of Christmas and giving to those truly in need. The song begs us to focus on the real meaning of "the birth of the rebel Jesus".

Was Jesus meek and mild? Some of the old hymns and several church Sunday School teachers would like to make it seem that way. Jesus says himself that he is meek in this passage from Matthew 11, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Yet, think of him talking to prostitutes, healing lepers, rebuking the Pharisees, or pushing the money changers out of the temple. Not actions that seem "meek" and "mild".

The words radical, rebellious and revolutionary are tags often given to disobedient trouble makers. Jesus was radical and revolutionary about reconnecting people with God. he was revolutionary in that he died for our sins. Revolutionary in showing pure love and sacrifice. Not a revolutionary, radical hothead defying all authority. Look at the compassion he showed the woman caught in adultery. Not exactly weak, but not judgmental either.

In your life, how can you "Rebel like Jesus"? Should you rebuke your teachers and disobey your parents? That's not exactly the Jesus way of rebellion. It's more in recognition of thoughtful thinking about what you encounter everyday! Say "lets not talk about them" when your friends are making fun of someone. Don't sneak out of the house because "everyone else is". Refuse to act out in meanness towards a person who is "different" than you.

Standing up can equal Standing out... and Jesus shows us that we can rebel in amazing and POSITIVE ways.

FUEL Service This Sunday.

Youth Fix Writer — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:06:21 GMT

CHAOS

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:07:00 GMT

This last weekend we showed a video of David Garibaldi painting Jesus. It's an amazing video. It reminded me of a fellow I watched on PBS while growing up. His name was Bob Ross and his show, The Joy of Painting was always captivating as an amazing piece of artwork would come about from a chaos of colors that at first appeared on the canvas with no apparent order. I love that analogy for our lives. Often we feel swept up in chaos, not recognizing any order. We are left confused, disheartened, and scared. But from that God promises to bring something beautiful. In Isaiah, God's given us a promise of order to come. An order that's glorious and beautiful. We can give thanks as we read the words of God's promise.

Isaiah 65:17 

[ New Heavens and a New Earth ] "Pay close attention now: I'm creating new heavens and a new earth. All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten. Look ahead with joy. Anticipate what I'm creating: I'll create Jerusalem as sheer joy, create my people as pure delight. I'll take joy in Jerusalem, take delight in my people: No more sounds of weeping in the city, no cries of anguish; No more babies dying in the cradle, or old people who don't enjoy a full lifetime; One-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal— anything less will seem like a cheat. They'll build houses and move in. They'll plant fields and eat what they grow. No more building a house that some outsider takes over, No more planting fields that some enemy confiscates, For my people will be as long-lived as trees, my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work. They won't work and have nothing come of it, they won't have children snatched out from under them. For they themselves are plantings blessed by God, with their children and grandchildren likewise God-blessed. Before they call out, I'll answer. Before they've finished speaking, I'll have heard. Wolf and lamb will graze the same meadow, lion and ox eat straw from the same trough, but snakes—they'll get a diet of dirt! Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill anywhere on my Holy Mountain," says God.

May you find joy in the future as we all look forward to what God is creating.

Where's Waldo???

Youth Fix Writer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

I found this picture from the World Records Academy website about the largest gathering of people dressed like Waldo. In this crowd, it's easy to spot the character known so well for hiding. It makes me think of the church. As I was reading in Acts 5 this morning, I found verse 12 which talks of how the believers would meet together and it made me think of this gathering of Waldos.

While the gathering of Waldo's is full of people who look the same, the collection of God's people appear vastly different. In God's kingdom, we find religious leaders like Joseph of Arimathea. But we also find tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, and other worldly outcasts. Today we find believers in Christ from different races, different socio-economic environments, different ages, different genders, and different cultures.

So, what is the similarity between the Body of Christ and the group of Waldo look-a-likes? The answer is that while God's people look and act so different, they essentially are clothed in the same way. Galatians 3:27 (NIV) says for all you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. When the body of Christ gathers, we are just as different as every individual in the picture that is dressed as Waldo. For they are all different with various lives they encounter once they step out of the confines of those similarly dressed individuals. We all have different gifts, shortcomings, and approaches. But, when people look at the assembly of believers, what should they see? They should see the group of people gathering, clothed in Christ, and recognized by our faith.

Got Questions

Youth Fix Writer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:35:00 GMT

This is really funny. I think that there are many times we are afraid that we're going be asked a bunch of questions like the Vicar in the video. Even worse, some of those questions about our faith we may not be able to quickly answer. But that shouldn't sway us from talking about our faith.

When someone questions us about our faith, it's an opportunity to share. We may not be able to answer all the questions asked, but that's when we can turn to our faith in scripture, open our bible, and look for God's direction. Everything we need to know is in there. It might take some digging or reflecting but given time, the truth in scripture rises to the top.

If you have questions, I recommend you come on Sunday night at 6 pm to Bethany to see if our FUEL service can help provide an answer or at least some comfort to you as you continue to walk in this world.

Focus

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:12:00 GMT

My favorite baseball player of all time is Andre Dawson. Over his career, he became known by the nickname, "The Hawk", because of his ability to focus on the ball. In our life, we need to have the eyes of a hawk and stay focused on what's important. In Romans, Paul instructs us that our focus as Christians should be to be conformed into the likeness of his Son (Romans 8:29). Like the batter focuses on the ball, we need to be focused on the call we have to be like Jesus.

Jesus reached out to those in need. Where there were sick, he offered healing. Where there was lack of understanding, he brought enlightenment. Where people were hungry, he provided food (both physically and spiritually). When we encounter those that the world would rather ignore or push aside, we need to stay focused on the call to be like Jesus. Extending all we are in the same spirit that inspired Christ; the spirit of love.

FUEL Service this Sunday

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:39:00 GMT

Don't miss out on Sunday night's FUEL Service. Join us at 6 pm to with music
led by the band "The Rescue".

Why?

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:15:00 GMT

As I was thinking back over the lives of children, there is one point in their life where their ability to annoy adults is at it's peak. It's that inquisitive stage where they are constantly asking questions. They are trying so hard to understand the world around them that they harass us asking "why" in response to every answer we can give. And you really can't get mad at them because you know that their heart is longing for answers and their motives pure. I think in our faith life we need to be better at returning to that inquisitive stage and more frequently ask "why" sincerely looking for answers.

In scripture, we have a vision of the Pharisees asking Jesus lots of questions. The difference between them and the child is that while the child sincerely wants an answer, the Pharisees are asking questions simply to find evidence that they can use to rationalize their stance against Jesus. Today, I see many people who ask questions who's motives are more similar to the Pharisees than the child. They ask for the purpose of exploiting someone else or getting the dirt on a situation so they can bend the information to their own advantage.

As we grow in faith, we will be provoked to ask many questions. But, we need to follow the example of the little child and do so earnestly seeking the truth, not trying to drudge up support for what we already think is right. My prayer for you is that you ask the questions and sincerely seek the truth.

God's Work, Our Hands

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:04:00 GMT

I purposefully waited to write about Haiti until a few weeks after the tragic earthquakes. I write now because I am afraid that though there are still hundreds of thousands in need, the sentiment is that Haiti is "Old News". That bothers me but does not suprise me. I know we live in a world where fads garner 15 minutes of fame before being replaced by the next big thing. Yet, isn't life more than jumping from fad to fad, waiting until we expire? Maybe this is part of the reason we still have people in Indonesia who haven't recoved from a tsunami that happened in 2004. Or people in New Orleans who are still in disaray following hurricane Katrina in 2005.

As we look at the example of Jesus in scripture, we find someone who was focused and on mission. Jesus' mission was not something to kill time until the next thing came along. Rather Jesus' mission drove him to the cross. For our lives, I'm confident that God has a mission. It's one that is likely to outlast the latest fad. Our job is to discern that mission and then let it direct our paths. So, find your mission, respond to the call, and give glory to God. Only then will we find life that has outgrown the tragedies we face in this world.

If you could have one thing...

Youth Fix Writer — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:26:00 GMT

If you could ask God for one thing, what would it be? Fortune? Fame? Love? A beat down for your enemies? In 1 Kings 3 we encounter this exact situation. The new king Solomon made an offering to God and God responded by saying, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon responded by asking God for wisdom. The rest is history. Solomon went on to become regarded as the wisest man who ever lived, was given both riches and honor by God, and led Israel as a king. Furthermore, we still meditate over the words in Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs as well as Proverbs that were penned by his hand.

I am reminded of the value of wisdom as our Tuesday night group dives into the book of Proverbs as the center of our discussions. I would invite you to either join us (Tuesday night's at 6:30 at 704 W 10th St. in LaPorte, IN) or by yourself reading a chapter a week from Proverbs and e-mailing questions or comments to me. I pray that the wisdom of Solomon will live on through you as you engage the legacy of God's wisdom

Good Ol Lazarus

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:52:00 GMT

Today I was reading from John 12 about how the Pharisees were upset that Jesus was getting so much attention. They were jealous that so many people were responding to Jesus all because he brought Lazarus back to life. While we know that the Pharisees were out to kill Jesus, we now find Lazarus being thrown into the middle of this struggle for power. We find out in 12:10 that the Pharisees who plotted on Jesus were now also plotting to kill Lazarus. What did Lazarus do? He simply died and was brought back to life.

Have you ever been thrust into some conflict that you never intended to join? It happens all the time. We become guilty by association, simply because we harbor a friendship or entertain a conversation. If this has never happened to you, it will. But what we must remember is that when push comes to shove, we are loved by our Father (John 3:16, I'm pretty sure you know it), that the truth sets us free (John 8:32, Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free), and that God is always with us (Matthew 28:20b, And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age). In those three promises, as well as many others found in the Bible, we can find encouragement in those trying times.

The Great Re-Gift

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:07:00 GMT

Don't miss out on this month's Second Sunday "FUEL" Service. We'll be talking about the need to re-gift. God Bless and hope to see you Sunday at 6 pm.

Fun at Church...

Youth Fix Writer — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:55:00 GMT

I bet the above video fits into the category of "things I never thought I'd see at a church". This video was one of the most popular youtube video's of 2009. While I appreciate the choreography and creativity, I find it odd that this type of stuff is so foreign to the church. When people think of church, they think of sitting in a pew fighting off the urge to sleep while someone tells you how you should live and how you need to change. That's not what church is all about.

Jesus was a fun guy. We have him on record turning water into wine and hosting quite possibly the largest fish fry on record. If we go back further, we find a call for us to worship God with singing and dancing (Psalm's 149 & 150). Scripture tells of God working crazy miracles where donkey's talk, people dance in fire, and others walk on water. God is not a boring God. God has fun. We should to.

If church is not fun for you, I pray that you find a place where it is fun. Where you can celebrate and dance. Where you can worship with your all. Someplace where God is experienced. And, for God's sake, someplace that keeps you awake.

A God of Detail and Plans

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:42:00 GMT

This year, a nearby neighborhood has a house with lights syncronized just like in the above video. It looks so cool. I can't imagine the amount of time, energy, and detail it must have taken to do such a thing. I also think about the baby Jesus that we celebrate this time of the year. To think of the care that God went through to have the Christ child fill apx. 60 major prophecies of the Old Testament certainly gives a picture of God who pays attention to detail.

This time of year is also really good for loosing that point. With all the things rushing around, it's easy to feel insignificant. But one thing is that God views you as greatly significant. For God's got big plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". God promises us that there is a plan for us thats filled with HOPE and a FUTURE. That hope and future were solidified with the Christ Child. This Christmas season we should celebrate that birth and the love out of which that perfect gift was given.

Unexpected Gifts

Youth Fix Writer — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:58:00 GMT

I've seen some nice gift wrapping in my day. You know the one's I'm talking about. You hate to open it because it looks so picture perfect. Then you do and you find a nice package of socks. What a dud. Then you get some of those packages that are wrapped with such carelessness that you are almost embarrassed to pick it up from under the tree. But, once you open it, you find a very nice and thoughtful gift that brightens your day.

It's a message that happens each year as we celebrate Christmas. The baby Jesus did not look like a wonderful gift. The son of an unwed mother, from a family that couldn't even find adequate shelter for the baby's birth. Yet that gift is one far better than anything that could have been beautifully wrapped. For it cam accompanied with love and from the one who knew exactly what we needed. Thank you God for that gift.

Godly Peace

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:27:00 GMT

When I think of the holiday's, I very rarely get to experience a "Silent Night". Yet, it was in silence that Elijah experienced God. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah does not find God in a windstorm, an earthquake, or a fire. Rather, Elijah finds God in the "gentle whisper". Sometimes we don't do a good job of stepping out of the chaos in our lives to open ourselves to hear the soft voice of God. We want instead to find the power and might. We need to step back and remember that God may not speak to us through the sledgehammer but might be trying to get to us through the gentle whisper. I think that's what happened at the Christmas truce of 1914. Read and see if you think God works in similar ways today. I think God does and we need only to step back from the chaos and listen for the gentle whisper.

The Power of God

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:51:00 GMT

The other night I finished reading this book, "Blessed Child" by Bill Bright and Ted Dekker. This novel is about the power of a boy who walks in the kingdom of God and brings others to a point of seeing that kingdom. In one chapter, he brings his two closest friends to a point where the see the awesome power of their love as rays of light extend from their mouths as they proclaim their love for God and for one another. In this scene, the power of their worship and love was on display in full technicolor. While reading that chapter, I lost myself in the struggle of, "does that really happen?" Does our love, love that has been passed to us from God, have power that is on display in full glory?

I got the answer last week as I met a man who just wandered into our church wanting to do something to help others during this Thanksgiving holiday. He had no exuberant amount of money but has given his time and energy into filling boxes of food and helping deliver them to people in need of a little pick-me-up. He was living proof to me that God's love is on display as it passes from one to another. For that I thank him and am warmed by the ever present loving and guiding presence of one who loves without reservation, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:35:00 GMT

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Going Through The Motions...

Youth Fix Writer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:35:00 GMT

A few weeks ago I ran into this song. It's about how there is more to life than just arriving at death with a good looking corpse. Life is about living and yet so many never take the bait. Instead following the herd making sure not to get too far out of line with what everyone else is doing. Jesus never fell into that trap. While others were changing money in the temple, Jesus ran around overturning the tables. While people were striving to climb to greatness by walking on others, Jesus bent down and served the disciples by washing their feet. When others denied knowing Jesus out of safety, Jesus confronted the accusations of others head on no denying himself or the reason he was here.

If we want to call ourselves Christian, we need to become less concerned with existing until death and instead find ways to live until death has to take our weathered souls and bodies. One step towards living happens every year with the youth at Bethany. We take a week long mission trip. While on the trip, we get little sleep, work a long day, enjoy regular times of worship, eat some things that are very similar to school food, and WE LOVE IT. It's a great time of serving others. Of being like Jesus. Not the Jesus affluence that has become common in this world. Rather the Jesus of humility who lives among the poor, the suffering, the diseased, and the needy. I would encourage you to e-mail me (chrisbureshbethany@hotmail.com) for more information on how you can join us or take other steps towards choosing life, not just going through the motions.