In his blog today, Kevin DeYoung differentiated between story-telling and preaching and it got me thinking. Personally, I love to tell stories. Like many others, I find that I am easily swept up in a strong/compelling narrative whether it's a book, movie, song, or the experience of a friend. Moreover, because of people like Lyle Cruse in my life always telling interesting stories during my high school years, I've been told numerous times that I am a good story-teller. I used to wear this like a badge on my sleeve, glad that I could peak the interest of others, especially the teenagers with whom I work daily.
However, lately, I've been convicted in my use of story-telling. At the end of the day do I want students to hear my stories and laugh, cry, think or is my desire for them to hear the words of God himself through me when I speak? In my effort to let God speak for himself through the Bible, lately in my talks I've been focusing more on the exegesis of a passage over story-telling with some biblical application thrown in. Admittedly, it's a balance I am still trying to find as I know that stories help my audience relate to me and can help the meaning of a passage be more clear and applicable to their own lives. However, too many times I've caught myself using my personal stories in order to elicit some sort of visceral reaction from my audience rather than to help impart truth.
This came to light through two things. First, this quote by Jonathan Edwards gripped me:
"I should think myself in the way of my duty to raise the affections of my hearers as high as possibly I can, provided that they are affected with nothing but truth."
Again, my goal should be to allow the truth to speak, not just create an emotional reaction through my stories. Second, was through the words of a TreeHouse teenager. After going through the first chapter of James, trying to let the Word of God speak for itself, I was discouraged, realizing that I had lost most of my audience by the end of my talk (again, I'm still trying to figure out my own balance to this more exegetical approach to communicating along with some story-telling). However, after the talk I asked one of my guys what he thought. He said (i'm paraphrasing)
"I liked it. I wish it was longer, it seemed too short. I always get bored when you tell stories. Like, I know that you're trying to relate to me, but we relate all the time. Sometimes I just want you to get up there and help me understand what I need to know and what I need to do as a Christian."
I think God used this student to speak to me more that night than vice-versa. It was much needed. My prayer is always that God would just speak to even one student whenever I give a talk. It was amazing to see my personal convictions lining up so blatantly with what God was communicating to this student. Praise God that his words never fail.
Showing posts with label treehouse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label treehouse. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Summer 2011 Update!
This summer at TreeHouse has been one of unbelievable life-change. A couple of our students have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and their immediate growth has been humbling to see! I am so excited to tell you that God has been moving in the hearts of the young men I have the honor of mentoring. My one-to-ones with most of these guys have taken an intentional tone of discipleship. On the missions' trip, God broke three of my guys and now our one-to-ones are full of discussing Scripture, God's will, godly relationships, and much laughter. Through some of these relationships, many of the guys have begun reading the Bible on their own, then coming to our one-to-ones with their questions and thoughts.
Moreover, yesterday four of our students were baptized! I had the amazing opportunity to baptize two of the guys that God has been using me to disciple. The joy in their hearts overflowed yesterday as they shared their faith and their desire to follow Christ and glorify Him with their lives. God moves, we respond. It was beautiful hearing those students' responses yesterday!
Thank you for your support throughout this last year. Lives are changing as God uses your faithfulness to these students. Your prayers are so vital to this ministry, and I welcome you to share in the joys God has blessed TreeHouse with over this summer! To Him be the praise, glory, and honor.
- Josh
Friday, June 10, 2011
"Jesus is on the water."
Last night at TreeHouse, I was given the privilege of sharing with our students the story of Jesus walking on water. During my preparation for this message, the Spirit really laid on my heart an angle to the story that I hadn't really realized before: "Jesus is on the water." According to Matthew 14, Peter had to leave the comfort and security of the boat and walk out into the unknown. Why? Because that's where Jesus was, that's where Jesus called him, so that's where he went.
The students were able to think of different things they believe or have heard that the Bible teaches about Jesus. That He loves us without strings. That He forgives us even though we don't deserve it. That He'll never leave us. That in submitting to Him, He'll "make our paths straight." (Prov 3:5-6). What God had laid on my heart for this story is that the Truths of Scripture only make sense when you're out on the water following Jesus. When you're sitting in the boat where you stay safe and comfortable, it doesn't make sense or really matter that Jesus will never leave you, or that you're forgiven no matter your past, or that as we follow Christ, he'll guide us and show us our purpose.
"Where are you?" was the challenge.
Are you in the boat still?
Are you on the edge of the boat thinking of stepping out?
Are you sinking?
Where are you?
The topic of walking into the unknown for Jesus, potentially being persecuted and suffering for Him, isn't one that I frequently discuss with my teens. I'm not sure if it's nervousness in the students realizing that following Jesus is hard sometimes or what, but I was unsure how our students would react to the message of Matthew 14. The nervousness led right up until I gave the talk, until I felt a peace come over me and the Spirit reassuring me: "This is truth. EVERY person needs to hear it, and this is the audience I have chosen for tonight."
I'm glad the Spirit chose this audience. I'm glad he grabbed ahold of me before I got up and started rambling my own words. He moved through His Truth and spoke to the kids. One of our students gave His heart to Christ last night. I'm just glad we get to be a part of it all.
The students were able to think of different things they believe or have heard that the Bible teaches about Jesus. That He loves us without strings. That He forgives us even though we don't deserve it. That He'll never leave us. That in submitting to Him, He'll "make our paths straight." (Prov 3:5-6). What God had laid on my heart for this story is that the Truths of Scripture only make sense when you're out on the water following Jesus. When you're sitting in the boat where you stay safe and comfortable, it doesn't make sense or really matter that Jesus will never leave you, or that you're forgiven no matter your past, or that as we follow Christ, he'll guide us and show us our purpose.
"Where are you?" was the challenge.
Are you in the boat still?
Are you on the edge of the boat thinking of stepping out?
Are you sinking?
Where are you?
The topic of walking into the unknown for Jesus, potentially being persecuted and suffering for Him, isn't one that I frequently discuss with my teens. I'm not sure if it's nervousness in the students realizing that following Jesus is hard sometimes or what, but I was unsure how our students would react to the message of Matthew 14. The nervousness led right up until I gave the talk, until I felt a peace come over me and the Spirit reassuring me: "This is truth. EVERY person needs to hear it, and this is the audience I have chosen for tonight."
I'm glad the Spirit chose this audience. I'm glad he grabbed ahold of me before I got up and started rambling my own words. He moved through His Truth and spoke to the kids. One of our students gave His heart to Christ last night. I'm just glad we get to be a part of it all.
Monday, May 16, 2011
ALL SCRIPTURE......
Being a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, I have had hammered into me time and time again the importance of handling God's Word properly. I mean, 2 Timothy 2:15 is the school's favorite verse. It's posted everywhere on campus. I learned how to do inductive Bible studies (that take about 3 hours to complete!) and how to use the background, culture, and context of a passage to help show the original intent of the author and thereby what God is really trying to teach us when we read His words. And this is all well and good, but it is tiresome, and ultimately, in a ministry to at-risk youth like TreeHouse, sometimes it even seems burdensome to go through such a process when most of my conversations revolve around depression, fighting, anger, broken homes/relationships, and sex.
However, a couple of days ago I sat down to a one-to-one with one of my students. This student has had an increased desire to better understand God lately- mainly desiring to know what God wants him to do with his life. A verse Bill Allison shared about 5 million years ago during chapel at PCS came to mind. Colossians 3:23, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." In choosing this passage, I wanted him to start getting the concept that the ultimate goal/plan for our lives is simply living for the Lord. All that other stuff about where to go and what job to have and whom to marry will come, but this is the starting point.
He was tracking with me for a little while when I asked what this made him think/question. He said, "what about people that are jerks? Am I supposed to work hard for a boss that I hate and doesn't respect me?" I thought for a moment, then realized that the verses leading up to v.23 stated, "Slaves obey your earthly masters in everything you do.... serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord." It was amazing to see God's Word speaking directly to this student's questions! The understanding flooded his mind and he smiled.
We talked a little while longer until he stated, "that's so hard to do though, cuz like it's not like we get anything for obeying people that are jerks, do we? So who cares if we obey them or not?" My heart both skipped a beat and simultaneously sunk as I read verse 24-25, "Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites." He smiled at me. It was clear God was speaking through His Word to this student throughout our conversation. It was one of the deepest, most God-honoring one-to-ones I've had in a while.
However, I felt like God had called me out. " ALL SCRIPTURE is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). I had just talked on this last Thursday during our Going Deeper program, and yet here I was, doubting that God could speak through the context of Colossians 3:23. I took a shortcut, I copy/pasted a verse wanting to apply it to a situation. All the while, God's authoritative Word was speaking as it desired, rather than where I was wanting to place it.
Praise God that His Word is more powerful than mine, and pray for me to be a faithful steward to that Word and a humble mouthpiece.
However, a couple of days ago I sat down to a one-to-one with one of my students. This student has had an increased desire to better understand God lately- mainly desiring to know what God wants him to do with his life. A verse Bill Allison shared about 5 million years ago during chapel at PCS came to mind. Colossians 3:23, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." In choosing this passage, I wanted him to start getting the concept that the ultimate goal/plan for our lives is simply living for the Lord. All that other stuff about where to go and what job to have and whom to marry will come, but this is the starting point.
He was tracking with me for a little while when I asked what this made him think/question. He said, "what about people that are jerks? Am I supposed to work hard for a boss that I hate and doesn't respect me?" I thought for a moment, then realized that the verses leading up to v.23 stated, "Slaves obey your earthly masters in everything you do.... serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord." It was amazing to see God's Word speaking directly to this student's questions! The understanding flooded his mind and he smiled.
We talked a little while longer until he stated, "that's so hard to do though, cuz like it's not like we get anything for obeying people that are jerks, do we? So who cares if we obey them or not?" My heart both skipped a beat and simultaneously sunk as I read verse 24-25, "Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites." He smiled at me. It was clear God was speaking through His Word to this student throughout our conversation. It was one of the deepest, most God-honoring one-to-ones I've had in a while.
However, I felt like God had called me out. " ALL SCRIPTURE is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). I had just talked on this last Thursday during our Going Deeper program, and yet here I was, doubting that God could speak through the context of Colossians 3:23. I took a shortcut, I copy/pasted a verse wanting to apply it to a situation. All the while, God's authoritative Word was speaking as it desired, rather than where I was wanting to place it.
Praise God that His Word is more powerful than mine, and pray for me to be a faithful steward to that Word and a humble mouthpiece.
Friday, April 29, 2011
4.29.2010
Fast forward one year and here I sit in my favorite local coffee shop where I'm on a first name basis with the baristas and owners, writing my notes for a talk I'll give next week on the power of words, and preparing a missions team builder this afternoon with teenagers whom I love. I'm looking forward to spending the weekend with my lovely wife, going on a bike ride, packing for a summer move into a new apartment next month, and fellowshipping at our home congregation, Hope Community Church, on Sunday.
Life is full of surprises and change, but God's faithfulness remains. Deuteronomy 7:9 says, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands." Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
Thank you so much for all of your prayers this last weekend as Plymouth TreeHouse met up with the Chaska TreeHouse for our Spring Retreat. It was a great time of getting away, building relationships, and connecting with God. It was everything a retreat is meant to be!
Our theme for this year was "What Do You Fear?" with the goal of helping our students give their fears and stressors over to God. One of the core needs that every person has is to know "You Are Not Alone." It is something that we tout week after week during our support groups, but this weekend was a great venue for helping our teenagers realize that they are truly never alone because God is always with them; therefore, there is truly nothing to fear!
The culmination of the trip was allowing each student to walk up on stage and paint their biggest fear on a black tarp (in the middle of the picture), giving it over to God and seeking His comfort to take the place of the fear that grips them.
More than that though, my favorite part of the trip was having small group time with my guys after each talk. I am asking you to pray alongside me for the young men God has brought to TreeHouse. The pervasive fear that my guys admitted was "failing to become the man God wants them to be" or "ending up like my dad." Their confessions were so raw and you could sense the passionate heart and desire to break the cycle of abandonment, abuse, and hurt they've experienced from their fathers.
It was a beautifully humbling time watching God move in the hearts of His children!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Full-Time Program!
I promise you, despite how terrified I look in this picture, I'm actually thrilled to let you all know that I am officially back full-time at program working with at-risk teenagers!!!!!! God has richly blessed me and Emily with so much love and support over the last four months. The whole support-raising process has been new and stretching to us, but we have time and time again seen the hand of God moving.
I still have not reached my full target of support yet, but I you all have sent in enough support that they have allowed me back to Plymouth and to my guys! So, with that, I will still be continuing to raise support as I transition back into working full-time in ministry. If you are still feeling led to give and have not been able to do so, you've not missed the boat. Much like a full-time missionary, my support is on-going, so I even after I do reach my official target, I will always welcome new friends and family who want to support me!
I want to thank you for all of your prayers, emails, meetings, cups of coffee, and encouragement over these few months. I also want to invite you to pray for the hurting teenagers with whom I am now working. Pray that God's Spirit would be moving in them and through me as He draws us to Himself.
Again, thank you so much, and I'm so excited that I'm back full-time!!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Making some good headway!
Well, as most of you know, I've been raising support for my ministry at TreeHouse since November. I am glad to say that I'm getting closer and closer to my monthly goal! I am now only about $400 a month away from being able to start working program again full-time back at Plymouth!!!
Originally, I was trying really hard to get all my support in by the end of February. I might be REALLY REALLY close to actually attaining that goal! Thank you guys so much for all the support and prayer I've received over the last months. You guys are amazing and obviously, I couldn't do this ministry without you all!
I talked to Heather, the other Youth Outreach Specialist at the Plymouth TreeHouse about how things are going in Plymouth. It sounds like things have been rough lately with fights breaking out, students making bad decisions, and some of my guys going downhill. Not to say that everything would automatically be better if I was back there right now, but hearing about all these things makes me want to get back to Plymouth more than ever. Unfortunately there is no male staff member able to work full-time with the boys at Plymouth until I get back there. I'm so excited to hopefully get back to discipling them ASAP. Thank you for all your support in making this ministry possible.
you rock.
Originally, I was trying really hard to get all my support in by the end of February. I might be REALLY REALLY close to actually attaining that goal! Thank you guys so much for all the support and prayer I've received over the last months. You guys are amazing and obviously, I couldn't do this ministry without you all!
I talked to Heather, the other Youth Outreach Specialist at the Plymouth TreeHouse about how things are going in Plymouth. It sounds like things have been rough lately with fights breaking out, students making bad decisions, and some of my guys going downhill. Not to say that everything would automatically be better if I was back there right now, but hearing about all these things makes me want to get back to Plymouth more than ever. Unfortunately there is no male staff member able to work full-time with the boys at Plymouth until I get back there. I'm so excited to hopefully get back to discipling them ASAP. Thank you for all your support in making this ministry possible.
you rock.
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