Endeavor

The word endeavor means: a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness).


I just got back from spending a good portion of nine days with 50 plus teenagers/youth at our yearly camp meeting. We had an incredible time doing all sorts of fun things yet the most important was the spiritual blessing they (we) received.


We invited as a special speaker/singer Maria Long to come and minister to these teenagers/youth and the Spirit of God truly blessed!


We saw kids come forward that were addicted to pornography a young women who's mom was a prostitute and is struggling with insecurities give her testimony along with several others that were anointed for ministry and had a desire to be baptized. God truly was working touching the lives of these teenagers/youth, letting them know that even though they may have a lot of 'junk' in their lives. Jesus is calling them to 'endeavor' after Him.


Maria wrote a song for this special time called of course 'Endeavor' Please take the time to listen to it here. You can also download the song for free here. 


Friends this Millennial generation is the largest generation alive and some have said it's also the one that we must re-enforce our efforts to reach. Last week that is exactly what we 'Endeavored' to do, and it certainly is one that requires effort and boldness.


The 'Endeavor' though is just beginning. Are you in?


Maria Long will also be coming to my church on June 18th-19th. 




Javi


image by [powerpointsermons]

Are you taking the middle Road?

In this video that I saw on a blog. Pastor Francis Chan who I often podcast his sermons hits an interesting point, yet not necessarily a new point. Watch the video and then read on...

(if you can't see the video click here)




Why is it that often we want to take the middle road? It seems we want to live good moral lives that obviously the ways of Jesus provides, we will do church, as opposed to being the church everywhere we go, and we will simply go through the motions instead of being in motion for Jesus. Yet I believe that Jesus is calling His followers to a deeper (Bathos) more radical discipleship. One that may call us out of our comfort zone, one that may have us walking on a narrow road. Jesus famously said, 


"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 
(Matt. 7:13-14)

Perhaps the problem is that we've never "enter(ed) through the narrow gate." in order to walk down the narrow road. Maybe in the past we did enter that 'narrow gate' but in time we saw a fork in the road and decided either consciously or subconsciously to take the broad road.

Let's take up Jesus' challenge and walk that narrow road, hey he promised that He'd walk it with us!

Are you ready to enter the narrow gate?

Javi

image by [powerpointsermons]

Book Review: The Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

It has won the 2010 Christian book of the year award by the Evangelical Christians Publishing Association. After reading it myself I can see why The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns deserves the award.

In The Hole in Our Gospel the author essentially takes us into a discussion that calls for us not simply to be transformed on the inside by the gospel of Jesus Christ but this transformation should lead us to a public display and passion in helping fight poverty and injustice.

Stearns writes in the introduction:

“The idea behind The Hole in Our Gospel is quite simple. It’s basically the belief that being a Christian, or follower of Jesus Christ, requires much more than just having a personal and transforming relationship with God. It also entails a public and transforming relationship with the world.” (p.2)

Truth be told I’m not sure that any book review including this one can provide or fully explain the impact this book can have in ones life. Richard Stearns who begins by detailing his story from corporate CEO to non-profit president of World Vision makes an incredible, compelling case both biblically and practically about our fundamental moral obligation as a Christian (or anyone with a heart) to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

One of the great things about The Hole in Our Gospel is the bountiful statistics that he gives and then is able to put them in perspective. Such as:

“In the United States and Europe, only about 2 out of every 1,000 children die before their fifth birthday. In Africa, on the other hand, 165 (16.5 percent) of each 1,000 are dead by age five. And in Sierra Leone, the worst country in the world for child mortality, 28.2 percent of all children are dead by age five...in much of Africa a teenager is already what we would call “middle-aged.” (p.140)

In full disclosure I get free books from Thomas Nelson who published the book and write book reviews for them. Those that know me though, and read this blog understand that if this book of nearly 300 pages stunk, I would have made it clear! 

With that stated without hesitation I not only recommend this book, but challenge all (including myself) to then go and do something, as Richard Stearns finishes his book:

“You, Me, let’s go. We have work to do, and it’s urgent. Join Me...

Javi

image  was taken from the book's website, I highly suggest you click here and check it out!