It’s been a while since I’ve had some reflections – a lot has happened in the past 2 weeks:

• Here are my favorite blog posts/articles from the past 2 weeks

• Faith Projects – I had lunch with a mentor and he challenged me to have “faith projects” in my life. Things I’m believing God for – it really challenged me – What are you believing God for?

• Compassion – I saw the movie “Taken” and for one of the first times in my life – my eyes are being awakened to global issues. The movie is specifically about human trafficking. I’ve known about them before and felt bad, but never really had compassion and the desire to do something about it before – God’s brewing some new things in my heart along these lines – interesting!

• This series by Keith Moore has been building me up big time – ONE OF THE BEST MESSAGES I’VE HEARD is the last one – “Power to Reap” – listen to it!

• 19 North - the big announcement has been made – Mr. McFeely will be making an appearance in March – Don’t want to miss that! 19 North has been averaging 170 people over the last 3 weeks (explosive growth) and it shows no sign of stopping~! Zack shared the vision of 19 North this past Saturday - A MUST LISTEN TO message

• Revolution - we’ve been tearing it up lately – we’ve kicked off our small groups and they’re going very well. Our leaders are doing a great job!

• Marine Corps Marathon - We’re getting a group together to run this marathon in October – registration starts April 1st – anyone interested?

• Growth – I’m in a season where I know I’m growing more than I could imagine, but I can’t really put a finger on everything God is teaching me. I’m very interested to see what it will be like to look back on this season of my life.

I could go on…. but that is enough for now – time for dinner!

19 North

In Honor of the “Big Announcement” This Weekend I want to Highlight on of the Best Ministries in Pittsburgh

Check 19 North Out on the Web: Twitter, Facebook, Mosez

19 North has changed my life along with the lives of hundreds of other twenty somethings and they’re raising the lids of other college ministries all throughout the region.

If you’ve never heard of 19 North or have and haven’t been there in a while – this Saturday is the perfect time to go. First of all, there is a huge secret that will be brought out into the open! Second, Zack will be starting a new series called “One” where he will be sharing the vision God has put in his and Lauren’s heart for 19 North. It’s a perfect time to get plugged in. Here is so more info:

Pastor: Zack and Lauren Blair

When: Saturdays at 8:30 p.m.

Where: Victory Family Church

What: 19 north is a ministry where more than 130 18-30 year olds, married and single, have been gathering for one purpose, to elevate God in the lives of the 20-somethings in this region.

19north is not a “singles-gathering.” We’re not a “meat-market” and never will be. We’re not interested in entertaining this generation; we’re interested in changing this generation. Our heart is to go deeply into the Word of God without compromise, to go deeply into worship, and to teach 20-somethings how to experience God in college, as a single parent, as a husband, as a wife, in the work-place, and wherever they go, in ways relevant to them. Everything that we do revolves around one principle: to greatly impact others so they can make a great impact.

We believe in you and we want to give you every opportunity to grow in the calling that God has for your life.

BE THERE EVERY SATURDAY – IT’LL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

What He opens, no one can close; and what He closes, no one can open. I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. -Revelation 3:7-8

Does it ever seem that some people take an escalator up the “ladder of success”? It just seems so easy for them.While others just can’t get anything to work for them and they never make any progress? They don’t have any luck and they go around in circles for years and never take steps towards achieving their dreams? While the other people appear to have so much favor and get promoted again and again. The people not making any progress think: This just isn’t fair! They always get promoted, always have things going their way, and nothing good ever happens for me!

What if I told you it was fair? What if I told you I had a scripture that proves that verse to be true? Here:

29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.                                                                                                                  -Matthew 25:29

It is a Biblical principle that those who have will be given more and will be promoted and those who don’t have will have things taken away. You may be thinking that’s not fair, I thought God doesn’t play favorites? He doesn’t! The Bible is clear that He is not a respector of people – what He’ll do for one – He’ll do for another.

However, it is entirely up to YOU what you recieve from God and what you accomplish for Him here on earth. You’re going to have to do something with what He’s given you. I’m convinced that people that seem to be excelling in life are people that do something with what God’s given them and so God knows He is able to give them more. While people who never have things going their way are aren’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing with what they’ve been given.

I want to take a few days and talk about opportunities and faithfulness . . .  it’s my hope that by the end you’ll be on your way to excelling in life by taking advantage of the opportunities God has sitting right in front of you!