Tradition Vs Legacy

There is difference between tradition and legacy. In the church world, tradition is often worshiped instead of God and legacy is often forgotten. I like tradition up to a certain point and I even understand the importance. It is important to know where you have been, even honor where you have come from, but legacy is always more important than tradition. Where you are going is more important that where you have been. Reaching people that are lost are more important than keeping church people comfortable. Here are some of the differences:


Tradition is tied to the past; based on the way things used to be. Tradition says that God is only as big as yesterday and He can not do anything better than He has already done. Tradition is built upon the likes and dislikes of the people that are in our comfort zone, where legacy is tied to the future. Legacy is building upon the way things could be, while building for those that have yet to be reached. Legacy says that our best days are ahead and God is not finished with us yet.

Tradition is selfish. We have it the way we like it. We do the things we like and are not really worried about what anyone else thinks. Tradition never make sacrifices and legacy is selfless. When we work towards legacy, we do not care about our personal happiness. We will do whatever it takes short of sin to reach those that are far from God. Legacy is not afraid to sacrifice a "golden calf."

Do not misunderstand this blog. Tradition is important, but it is not the most important thing. It is a foundation. But just like you can not live on a slab of a house without the walls and roof, you can not live on tradition, which is the foundation of what we believe.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2012 Posted in | | 0 Comments »

Thrive Rewind

Last night was one of the most fun nights in Thrive ever. It was the first annual BIGGIES!


The Biggies is an award show that is designed to look back over the big events in Thrive over the last year.

Will be posting pictures soon.

Thank you to Andy Williams a.k.a. Bald Wunda for being our incredible MC for the evening.

It was awesome having my bud Kell DJing for us.

Loved seeing all our Thrive Students decked out taking pictures on our Chrome carpet.

The commercials that were made were hilarious. I will try to find a way to put them online.

As much as I loved reflecting on the last year, I was more excited about talking about where we were going. 2012 is going to be Thrive's best year yet.

I know I say it a lot but I truly feel like I am the luckiest Youth Pastor alive. Thrive students are some of the most awesome students I have ever met.

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Thursday, January 5, 2012 Posted in | | 0 Comments »

Where Have You Settled

Genesis 11:31, "Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Harran, they settled there."


During my attempt to read through the Bible this year I ran across the above scripture and was disturbed. Abram's father set out on a journey and had a destination in mind. Canaan. But when he got to Harran, they settled there. They settled for a place they did not intend to be. They stopped and set up life in a city that they did not set off to live in. I am sure it wasn't a bad place, it was probably a beautiful place, but it wasn't where they wanted to live originally. Maybe the journey to Canaan was too long? Maybe the road was too tough? Maybe they where just worn down and worn out, but for what ever reason they stopped in Harran and not where they originally wanted to.

I think that happens to us a lot. I believe we set out for one destination, fire up, pumped up, ready to go and settle for somewhere that is not quite there. We get tired of fighting, we get worn out from the long journey. We stop in Harran and never quite make it to Canaan. We dream a BIG God dream and we set out to achieve only to settle in a place that comes up short. Maybe we did not realize it would take all the work that it was taking. Maybe we did not realize it would take the time it was taking. Maybe we did not prepare or pack appropriately, whatever the case we come up short and we settle.

If you are living in Harran but have dreamed and are called to live in Canaan, maybe it is time to pack your bags and journey again. Maybe it is time to pack up and set out again. Maybe it is time to put Canaan in your sights again. Dig deep, pack up, and go!

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It's In Your Head

Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."


Sunday Pastor Steven launched a new series called reNEW and used Romans 12:1-2 as his texted. I was challenged by a statement that he made, "The way you think determines your behavior." You can not change the things you do until you change the way you think. What areas of my life do I need to change the way I think?

I need to change the way I think about God. Do I believe that He is big enough to do the things He says He will do?

I need to change the way I think about people. Do I truly see them the way God sees them?

I need to change the way I think about my marriage. Do I love my wife as Christ loves the church?

I need to change the way I think about being a Dad. Am I truly showing my daughter an image of God through my life?

I need to change the way I think about Youth Ministry. Do I desire to entertain a generation and draw a crowd or do I desire to change the course of a generation for God?

There are several other areas I need to change the way I think. As we are getting into this new year I am challenged and stretched that my thinking is too small. The only way that I know to change my thinking is to change what I take it. I have to spend more time in God's Word and in God's presence. Sometimes I focus too much on changing other people and really just need to let God change me.

What area of thinking do you need to let God change this year?

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012 Posted in | | 0 Comments »

2012

A new year is a great time of reflecting and goal setting. A lot of people are anti resolutions but I actually believe it is a good thing. It is good to be able to look within yourself and see areas you need to work on. I am working on my list of goals right now. I try to make them realistic and obtainable, yet something that is challenging and will stretch me. Here are a couple I am working on:


Work on being a Follower of Christ before I lead people.

Be the best husband and father I can be.

Be the Youth Pastor Thrive Students deserve.

Be a better friend.

Be a better listener.

Read the Bible through completely.

Read 15 books this year.

Run a 5K in 32 minutes.

Some of these are goals that have a destination and others will take one day at a time to even scratch the service. 2012 will be what we make it!

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Sunday, January 1, 2012 Posted in | | 0 Comments »