Pipeline Generation Youth Church Blog

I’ve been thinking about changes lately. Especially with all the changes going on with Youth. These new things; things we haven’t done before. The ending of things we have been doing. No Youth camp this year, new format for small groups, things like that. I think you can all agree that changes in any capacity bring about lots of different feelings. For those of us who like control and familiar things and routine, change can bring emotions like sadness, anger, confusion, and even anxiety. But I don’t think that’s what the Bible says should happen when changes are given to us. One of my favourite scriptures is Isaiah 43:16-21. This is the Message version:

This is what God says,
   the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
   who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
   they lie down and then can’t get up;
   they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
“Forget about what’s happened;
   don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
   It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
   rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
   —the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
   rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
   the people I made especially for myself,
   a people custom-made to praise me. “

I love the part that says “be alert; be present.” That means to be excited, hopeful about the new things that are happening. It’s the voice that says “Look! How great! There it is! It’s BURSTING out!” I really think that’s the sort of attitude we need to have when change enters our lives. How great that our youth pastors are listening to the Holy Spirit, and following Him rather than just what we’ve done before. How great they are willing to be brave and take risks and try new things! Now our job is to be alert and show up for these new changes. Go to their house on Friday nights. Go to our Youth fundraiser on Sunday and support these new things. Just like the verse says, God is custom-making PG Youth. He is shaping us and making us into something He wants and the world needs. How great is that?!?!

 - Jenny

“‘Don’t be afraid’ he said, ‘for you are deeply loved by God.  Be at peace. Take heart, and be strong.’”
Daniel 10:19

I read this this morning and was moved to realize once again that I am “deeply loved by God” -that is beautiful.  Knowing that just seems to push all fear, stress, worry and concern from my heart. 

I’ve been talking to the Lord about quite a few things lately.  Or maybe the better way to say it is that I’ve been pouring out my heart to him, laying out every thing that is bothering me.  I must admit, I have ranted a little too.  But here is His answer to me – that I am deeply loved.  That I have nothing to fear.  That He will take care of me.  It shows me that with all my mistakes (you should have seen me yesterday…actually, I’m glad you didn’t) I still matter to Him.  Such grace.

So, today, I am reminding myself of His deep love for me and quieting my soul, choosing to be at peace.

 - Christy

Psalm 23
( a psalm of David.)

[It's funny that Kate talked about this story yesterday, but before youth, I had read a story from my uncle's blog that I wanted to share with you all. Seems like we're all on the same page!]

Anyway, my uncle [Rick Barker] is a pastor up in 100 Mile, BC. He writes a blog which I occasionally remember to read…his recent one really caught my attention. Here is what he wrote:

The Old Man’s Lunch:

Fire crackling,  the flames lit the room
An old man sits in his chair,
His grandsons sit as his feet trying to get his attention
“Tell us a story Grampa, tell us, c’mon, won’t you share?”
The old man chuckled.. I’ve got so many stories boys, which one do you want to hear?
You know the one, Grandpa, you know the one; you tell us every year
Yes I do I know the one, I remember it like yesterday it’s true

He took a deep breath and said…

Thousands of us gathered that day by the Sea
Just to listen to the Nazarene speak
The Kingdom of God is within you, he said
As we followed him up the hill from the beach
I was only 10 or 11 at the time
But man, I can still see his smile
I remember his eyes pierced right through me
Surprised he even looked at me because I was what they called a Gentile

The day wore on and the people they got all hungry,
Wondering what they were going to do
But mom, your great grandmother, had packed me a lunch — five loaves, and a couple of fish too
The fish they were small the fish, nothing more than sardines
And the bread – just barley for the poor
It was hardly enough for a growing lad like me let alone some 5000 more
So I was about to eat them…
when a big man came by and said “son the master has need of your food.”

I gave it up freely but never understood & wondered really… would these do any good?
But I wanted to see what the Nazarene would do
So I pushed my way down through to the front
Well, He broke my bread and He blessed my fish
And then pulled off the most amazing spectacular stunt!

My loaves of bread and my two little fish
They multiplied again and again and again!
It’s a miracle they cried, astounding they said!
He just fed over 5000 men!

Jesus just roared, his head back in laughter “trust the Father!” he said.
“He knows you each by your very own name.”
Well boys, I’m not exactly sure what happened that day
But I know one thing… I’ll never be the same
They killed him you know, crucified him on a tree
But He ain’t dead that I know for sure!
He lives forever I tell you the truth
He’s our God, our Lord, our Savior
Then the Grandfather stopped and wiped a tear from his eye
Said I followed him every day since
And when I fall down or fear, or doubt, or a step of faith I might miss
I recall that day, I’ll never forget, of my five loaves and two little fish

That’s it boys, the story’s ’bout done
“But Grandpa what about the moral?”
Little is much.. when it’s all you’ve got boys
Especially in the hands of God’s Son

 My favourite, favourite line in this story is the one that says, “Jesus just roared, his head back in laughter”.

It’s a beautiful picture in my mind of Jesus laughing His head off. Not in a silly or stupid way. But in a way that says “life is so good when you Trust Me.” Kind of like Jesus loves to see us understand something, or see a miracle because we believed He could do something good. And when we get it, and really see it, it makes Him so happy, He throws back His head and laughs! I want to understand that part of Him more. The part of Him that can feed 5,000 people with a few fish; the part of Him that can take away pain in a single touch. The part of Him that has great joy when He sees me see something He does.

What do you want to see him do?

Vulnerability can be a scary and freeing thing all in one! There is something so beautifully amazing to share your story or something hard with someone close to you. It can bring healing, revelation, love, trust. As I type this I am thinking of Jenny’s words tonight “you need to make the decision to love Him or not.”

This week, I had a heart breaking conversation with my biological Dad. Although the story is long and full of details I will give you the short end. In the matter of one hour, my father told me that I wasn’t good enough to be in his life, and that he didn’t want me anymore. Heart. Broken. No other words, as the emotions flooded my mind and heart I felt broken, hurt, angry, full of rage, and wanted to teach him a lesson. As I went through all of these emotions, a still small voice came into my head. Soft, full of love and concern. He said “I have healed you from this, do not be troubled.”

A song came to mind as this was happening: and although this song is not sung by a Christian artist (however she does believe in the Lord) the Lord revealed that it can be very relevant. I won’t tell you who sings it and I don’t want you to search it out, just read the words and imagine the Lord is saying this over you.

The day I first met you
You told me you’d never fall in love
But now that I get you
I know fear is what it really was

Now here we are, so close, yet so far
How did I pass the test.
When will you realize

I’m not like the rest

don’t wanna break your heart
Wanna give your heart a break
I know you’re scared it’s wrong
Like you might make a mistake

The world is ours if we want it,
we can take it, if you just take my hand,
there’s no turning back now
try to understand

Cause you’ve been hurt before
I can see it in your eyes,
You try to smile it away,
Some things you can’t disguise,
Don’t wanna break your heart,
I can ease the ache

So let me give your heart a break

He wants our hearts, He doesn’t want pieces or scraps here and there He wants it all. Let him give your heart a break from the hurts in the world. Allow his love to wash over your life, to saturate every part of your being. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. As you go through this week, remember this verse:

Matthew 12:35-37 “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Choose your words and decisions wisely. You are the salt of the earth, you are a chosen generation.

-Skye

I think I can, I think I can, I think…

Let’s start this off with a prayer.

God, all glory, honour, and power belong to you. Help us to recognise your hand leading, guiding, and protecting us. You are enthroned on our hearts. Through you we live and move and have life. We recognise this fact, and pray that you would be glorified through our lives. Amen.

Turn to Roman chapter 8 people. We are going to be reading several verses in this chapter. So keep your Bible open.

Romans 8:3-5  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. KJV

I know it a lot to chew, but hang in there; we’re going to break it down.

Let’s do some basic anatomy first. There are a few terms that are generally misunderstood by people, because of the corrupt culture we live in. Words like, mind, will, emotions, heart, feelings, soul, and spirit are all mixed up. People are told to follow their heart. Have you ever heard someone tell you to use their head, or if it feels good it must be good? What about, “if I can’t see it it’s not real”? These sayings are ingrained in our culture and people pull one out when it suits them.

Think of these parts of you as layers of a gum ball with your spirit being the center and the others wrapping around creating a layered effect.

 The Spirit: Your spirit is your core, the part of you that is made alive in Christ. It is also the part of you that defines you as dead or alive physically. When you die your spirit is the only thing that goes, nothing else. If the spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit who dwells in you. Rom. 8:11

The Soul: Then we have a soul (mind, will, and emotions) sometimes referred to as the heart. This part of us feels and analyzes the information our spirit or our flesh feed us. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom. 12:2

The Flesh: This is the outside layer. It is the part of us that is the most vulnerable. With it we see, taste, touch, feel, and smell.

 Col 2:20-23 says: If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

I made a choice when I accepted Jesus into my life. We all make choices in life, that’s how we learn and grow. The point I am trying to get at is the fact that my choice can be a catalyst that changes me forever. If I don’t recognize the fact that every good and perfect thing comes from God and God alone, I will worship my will. It may be a good choice, but my will did not make it good.

 My choice is not what I want, as it is who I will serve. The greatest war that has ever been fought – the greatest battle – is in the mind. God is fighting for you. The devil is fighting for you. Both of them fight with two very different motives. One fights for your sake, the other for you. You were made to worship, to serve. We confuse freedom with fulfillment. The world believes that an action without any commitment, sacrifices, or consequences is the purest sense of freedom. (Fly birdie, be free)

There is no such thing as freedom in the sense of a life without consequences or sacrifices. You have a will and the freedom to use it. What you choose to serve determines whether you will be fulfilled. 

Deut. 30:  See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish.”  So choose God and his will, and it will go well with you. Seek first his kingdom and all these things we be added unto you….

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Gal 6:8

 Read the last part from Romans 8 again.   For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength. Let his will be done not your own and you will find fulfillment.

 Jonathan

So I was reading the other day in Luke and I came across two similar stories that everyone knows. However, as I was reading these stories the word Repentance came to mind. Which isn’t the context I usually hear these stories in. Scrooge and Tiny Tim are usually what come to mind.

The first story is found in Luke 18:18-27 and is the story of the rich young ruler. Now Richie here comes to Jesus and asks what he has to do to get into heaven. Jesus tells him to follow the law – which Richie had been doing since childhood. He was probably getting pretty stoked you know, “I’ve kept the law! Sweet I’m getting into heaven!” He might have even been doing a happy dance in his head (I would have). Then Jesus added one last thing Richie had to do – sell ALL his possessions, give to the poor and follow Him. Now Richie was obviously rich and left the encounter disappointed cause he chose not to get into heaven.

Now skip over to the next chapter. Luke 19:1-10 and the story of Zaccheus. Now Zaccheus was also rich – albeit dishonourably so, but he was still rich. And just like Richie he wanted to see Jesus but he was really short (like me) so he climbed a tree (obviously. Only logical conclusion I can think of, besides you know, pushing through the crowd). Jesus stops, and we all know the story Jesus wants to go eat at Zaccheus’ house and everyone complains about it because he’s a tax collector. And then Zaccheus WILLINGLY turns around and says: “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will gave back four times as much.” (Luke 19:8). And that would be repentance.

Repentance literally means turning around and going the other way. You’re making a U-Turn. Zaccheus never said he was innocent but he did say he was going to become a giver and not a taker.

What really caught me off guard though was the seemingly complete perfection of Richie. He obeyed his parents, stayed faithful to his wife, didn’t lie, cheat, steal or anything like that. He had kept the commandments since he was a boy! You can only assume he worked hard to be rich and earned it too. He was, in the eyes of the world, perfect. In the eyes of Jesus he was unrepentant.

Zaccheus on the other hand was a tax collector, cheater, and was hated by all. Yet, he willingly turned around and offered to give away half his fortune and THEN give back quadruple of all that he defrauded. Which seeing as he was a tax collector and back then tax collector’s weren’t very honest that was probably a lot. He was hated by all but he repented.

One of those two inherited the Kingdom of Heaven and it sure wasn’t Richie. But repentance doesn’t have to do with just money. Does the world say to you “You’re a good kid.” “Look at your grades.” “Look how he helped that old woman cross the street.” But inside you feel Jesus and the Holy Spirit saying “What about that lie?” “You should apologize for talking back to your mother.” If you ignore that poking – or just say sorry in your head – and keep lying and keep talking back, and never making amends you are just holding onto your riches like Richie. But if at that poking you go to your mom or whoever you lied to and apologized and made amends to do better (and to take your punishment) you are more like Zaccheus then Richie.

What I find hard with this is that I find it so easy to be Richie. I can justify that “They didn’t need to know anyway.” “Well my mom doesn’t talk civil to me so why should I have to?” “But he’s IMPOSSIBLE to get along with.” Or the big one, “Well I’m an adult they can’t tell me what to do.” If you need an excuse I usually have one.

However every time I hold onto these momentary ‘comforts’ (not facing the consequences or taking the easy way out) I’m being just like Richie. And no matter how the world sees you or me – youth leader, crew trainer, older sibling, parent, straight A student, fundraising for wells in Africa kid, put yourself in here – no matter how perfect they think you and me are, it all means nothing if we try to hold onto our riches and let something small keep us away from Jesus. And I for one would rather be ‘poor’ and in heaven.
 - Hailey

I have the fun priviledge of speaking at the Cornerstone chapel next week. It will be to the kindergarteners through grade 3 students. When I first started thinking about what to share, I was kind of stumped. What do you say to a 5 year old? Maybe I should just bring candy and tell a funny story or something.

But as I was thinking about it, I was reminded that these kids – these 5 year olds – are the next generation. They’re not too young. I can call them up now. If the world culture can already be pushing its agenda on them, then I certainly can and should be speaking the truth into their lives. They aren’t too young. If my 3 year old can understand certain things, these 5-8 year olds definitely can.

I’ve been thinking about this book called “Do Hard Things.” It’s by Alex and Brett Harris. While it’s true that I haven’t actually read the book, I know the principal of it, and I think it’s great. It’s written by 2 teenage boys who are placing a higher call on their generation. While the world says that teenagers are just trouble, and they aren’t ready for big things – don’t put too much pressure on them, this book challenges us to rebell against the low expectations of today’s culture by choosing to ‘do hard things’ for the glory of God.

The book talks about “5 kinds of hard”. I wanted to put them on here for you to read and think about. Are you doing hard things for the glory of God?

#1 -Things that are outside your comfort zone. This could include actitivites like public speaking, learning a new skill or expanding an old one, traveling to new places, or meeting new people – anything that takes you outside the rut of your normal day-to-day, week-to-week activities. These actions can challenge us because they are unfamiliar or even scary, but they usually become some of our greatest memories, and they always end up growing our comfort zones for the future.

#2 – Things that go beyond what is expected or required. For example, say you only need a C to pass a class, but you aim for an A+. You aren’t content to “do no harm” – you purpose to do good. You might voluntee to clean up after church breakfast, stay late at work without pay to help a friend finish a job, or perform household chores you aren’t even assigned. These actions are hard because they rest entirely on our own initiative. No one else will make us do them. Because of this, they are almost always the accomplishments we feel best about.

#3 – Things that are too big to accomplish alone. These are usually big projects like organizing a rally, making a film, forming a teen ministry to the homeless, changing your school’s policy on a key issue, campaigning to get a shock jock off the air, or starting a band. They could also include really big causes like fighting modern-day slavery, abortion, or poverty and AIDS in Africa. We’re passionate about these causes becaue God has placed them on our hearts. In order to be effective in these kinds of projects, we must be able to share our passion with others and recruit them to work alongside us.

#4 – Things that don’t earn an immediate payoff. These are tasks like fighting sin, working out, doing your schoolwork, and obeying your parents. They’re hard because you won’t see much progress from one day to the next and because, especially at the time, it can seem like you’d be happier if you didn’t do them. Also, these are often tasks that no one else see s and that don’t win you recognition or praise – things like being faithful in your spiritual disciplines, expending energy on good study habits, or driving the speed limit (even when you’re late). We do them because they’re right, not because they have an immediate payoff. In every case we’ll be better off long-term, even though the things are “hard” or distatesful in the short-term.

#5 – Things that challenge the cultural norm. These choices go again the flow-dressing modestly, saying no to premarital sex, holding unpopular positions on issures like homosexuality and abortion, refusing to watch R-rate movies, sharing the gospel with other, or living as an obvious Christian. These choices are hard because they can cost you popularity and friendships. In some countries they can cost you your life. In order to accomplish things in this catergory, we have to care more about pleasing God than we do about pleasing people around us. But the payoff is huge: if we do them, we can change the course of history.

Did you read that last line? The payoff means you can change the course of history. Just by doing your homework or driving the speed limit. So, I want to issue a challenge to all of you. What hard things are you going to do in the next week and month? How are you going to challenge the world’s culture? How are you going to rise above the normal status of what people say a teenager is? Tell us. Write them on the Facebook page so we can support you in this. And then, once you’ve done it, tell us what the payoff was. Did you see something change? How did it effect the world around you?

Can’t wait to hear the results. You guys are so great!

Jenny

Last week on the news I watched a 2 year old Chinese girl get run over not once but twice in an alley behind her parents hardware store. The real shock came when a camera posted in the alley caught 17 or 18 people walk by and not bother to help this little girl. It was unspeakable to me that these people would walk by glance down and keep going. There was no mistaking her situation: she was on the ground in a pool of her blood and not dead but alive and moving. The Chinese Government is even calling for people to get back to caring for those around them in the wake of this tragedy. One person stopped: an unassuming older woman who makes a living by collecting trash. She saw the girl, stopped and looked around and then pulled her out of the street to safety.

The Lord has been using this to speak to me. Of course my mind immediately goes to the Good Samaritan story, but I’ve felt like as believers we have been missing something . God just began speaking to me about the the people who are down and wounded spiritually – people that I can see with my own eyes that are hurting, and people that I have been walking by. I realized that I can be so upset by things I see in the natural yet in the spiritual I walk by. I know we all have excuses like, “I don’t have time”, or “I don’t know what to say”, but maybe the real reason is we just don’t want to get our hands dirty. It is no less a tragedy for someone to be dying spiritually and we not try to help. We don’t have to rely on our own abilities. God will be faithful when we go to those in need he will provide us with the words and give us grace to listen.
- Derek

Do you remember when you use to play Hide and Seek with your friends and siblings? Especially when you convinced one of your parents to help you find thee best hiding spot? It was a really fun game to play….. but, how many times do we play that same game with God?

Sometimes we get into doing more of the hiding and less of the seeking. Hiding wasn’t what God ever had planned for us to do.

”Seek, inquire for, and require (to need) the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 (AMP)

In God’s game, we are the ones seeking Him and He is the one waiting for us to find Him.

In 20/20/20 this past week, we studied Isaiah 55 and read the same verse as above. But this question came up; isn’t God supposed to be with us always? Or put it this way, why would He be hiding and will I be able to find Him?

Here’s the example I gave the girls: suppose you and I decide to play Hide & Seek. Now you’re going to count to 10 and I’ll find a place to hide. So I go off and hide, and after you done counting, you open your eyes to go and find me. Surprise!! I’m standing right in front of you!

God hides in the same way. And He will always be in a place where you can find Him no matter your circumstances are, good are bad. He is just waiting for you open your eyes and “seek” Him.

If you’re feeling discouraged and that you feel like you can’t find Him, God is saying this:

“….I know how to get you from where you are now to where I want you to be. I know why I created you. If you’ll worship Me, I will visit with you. I can tell you how to get untangled from the snares in your path and how to move forward. I can even reveal to you things to come that are relevant to your life and world.”         
-Chuck D. Pierce, the Worship Warrior-

I challenge you to read Isaiah 55 and to seek Him out. Focus on the quality time you spend with Him, and not on how much time has passed. It’s where your heart is that counts in the end. Make that choice to seek Him. Open your eyes and don’t hide. He’s waiting.

~Shantel