Dealing with the Loss of Loved Ones (Part 3) – Steps

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the GOOD of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”        -Romans 8:28

Steps

Get in a Good Church – Once you’ve made the God decision, you need to get in a good church that actually teaches the Bible. Unfortunately, it’s because of the teaching of a lot of churches that we even have to make the God decision. You must know that God is good, He loves you, and He has a great plan for your life.

Surround Yourself with People that Will Give You the Truth -As I said yesterday, getting around friends and family is great, but it’s not enough. As far as surrounding yourself with people – you need to get around people who will speak the Word of God into your life, encourage you, push you through, and enable you to see that there really is a bright future ahead of you.

Take Your time Grieving, But Then Move On – it is perfectly ok to grieve and let your emotions go for a period of time. The problem is people who let it go on for years and years and never move on. In II Sam. 12:15-23 it talks about David grieving over His son while he was ill, but once his son passed away, he went back to normal life,there was nothing more he could do. I’m not saying you forget about the person or won’t miss them, I’m simply saying that you don’t let the emotions take control of you any longer than necessary.  Have people help you through this process…

Be Thankful for the Time You Did Have with Them - So many times we focus on all the things we won’t get to do with that person. “They won’t be at my wedding, see my kids, etc.” while this is true, we never focus on the time we did have with them, most likely because we took it for granted. When you become thankful for all the good times you had with them and all the time you got to spend with them, it really helps you though the process.

Tomorrow I want to talk about the impact the loss of a loved one should have on you….

Thoughts?

Catalyst West Coast: Day 2 Recap

What an incredible day… I’m literally blown away and I stand in awe of what God is doing in the world through the body of Christ. I literally can’t put into words what God is stirring up in my heart…

Here are my highlights from the talks:

Session 1: Andy Stanley

• Uncertain times are the arena where great leaders are born
• You don’t learn anything in good times or in times of certainty
• It’s ok to be uncertain, it’s not ok to be unclear
• To be clear in uncertain times, go back to the vision that God put in your heart
• The clearer you are on what God’s called you to do, the less uncertainty will matter
• Would you do what God is calling you to do even if nobody came with you?
• We need to be more concerned about the people we haven’t met, then the ones we have
• Leadership isn’t about making decisions alone, it’s about owning the decisions once they’re made

Session 2: Guy Kawasaki

• You’ll never appeal to everyone, when you try to, you create mediocrity
• Making people happy or unhappy is a lot better than making them indifferent
• If people won’t get your message in 15 minutes, they probably never will
• Ignore the bozos…

Session 3: Catherine Rohr

***Catherine runs an amazing ministry…. you need to check it out!

• Are you known for the worst thing you’ve ever done? Neither should other people… (Grace)
• A lot of times we need to look at people as human beings instead of animals
• We need to do life with people and help them achieve their “proudest moments” in life

Session 4: Jud Wilhite

• Until you settle the identity issue – you’ll never be or have enough
• There is no “There” so learn to enjoy the journey
• Surrender your view of you for God’s view of you
• We should talk to ourselves more than listen to ourselves
• When you believe something other than what God says about you, you’re calling God a liar

Session 5: Ravi Zacharias

*I need to listen to this talk again… Ravi is amazing and he said so many amazing things…

• What you applaud you encourage, be careful what you celebrate
• People can’t argue love

Session 6: Brian Houston

• Be a church planter and builder, not a church critique
• WE are the Church… the Church is so much bigger than one person
• If we don’t believe in what the church is supposed to be, how will the world?
• When you’re a part of the house of God -> you ALWAYS Flourish!

Session 7: Nick Vuljicic

• “It’d be dishonoring to God to live my life and not believe that I could change the world
• God uses people based on availability, not ability
• FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real
• 2 Questions Jesus will ask us: 1.) Do you know me? 2.) Who did you bring?
• FAITH = Full Assurance In The Heart
• You’re a miracle to someone when you give them Jesus
• Satan wants to take your joy from you… period
• Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean it’s not there
• Trust is a daily choice

Overall a great day… really looking forward to tomorrow…

Book Review: “Put It Behind Ya” by Pastor Larry Bettencourt

This book means more to me than you could imagine! It was written by my mentor and spiritual father, and good friend, Pastor Larry Bettencourt. I mean this sincerely when I say if it weren’t for Pastor Larry, I would not be where I am today. He believed in me when nobody else did, he lifted me up when I was down, he gave me opportunity, he allowed me to make mistakes, and he loved me unconditionally. The greatest thing about Pastor Larry is that he not only did that for me, but for thousands of teenagers, youth leaders, and youth pastors throughout his ministry so far.

He wrote this book to help people (specifically teens and young adults) get over there past. To make them realize that regardless of what they’ve done or where they’ve been that God loves them, forgives them, and still has an incredible future in store for them. I’ve met very few people that explain and have a revelation of God’s love and grace that Pastor Larry does.

I’d highly recommend this book to everybody! It’s a quick and easy read, yet the truths contained it are life changing!

Here are some of my highlights:

• You cannot go back and erase the past, but you can put it behind ya!

• Our choices today will determine our tomorrow. God wants to help, but you need to allow Him to help.

• God is not so concerned about the failures of your past, but He is concerned about the steps of faith for your future

• Don’t be all you can be, be all God wants you to be!

• You’ll never be free to reverse your future until you are free from the pain of your past!

Those are just a few highlights from the first two chapters! Again, I’d highly recommend buying this book!

Final Grade: A        Buy it here!

For more about PL check him out here:

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Crumbs – Perry Noble

Beautiful_01 Crumbs Outtake from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

This clip is a few months old and I just watched it again and I wanted to share it with you. Hope it helps!

Thanksgiving (Part 3)

Must Listen to Message on Boundaries

If you’re single, dating, or married – you need to listen to this message.

It will help you set standards and boundaries in your life and your relationships.

It is the third message in the series entitled: “Living on the Edge”

It will add a ton of value to your life – I promise!

Thanksgiving (Part 2)

Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually. ~Romans 15:2

Thanksgiving (Part 1)

Perry Noble’s Advice to Single Men!

Beautiful_02- Single Guys Outtake from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Pastor Appreciation Month

October is Pastor Appreciation month and I just want to recognize some pastors who have had a huge impact on my life!

Pastor Jeff Kistler - I attended Middletown Road Baptist Church when I got saved in middle school. This is when I figured out I was called to ministry! Pastor Kistler spent so much time pouring into me and loving me. He helped light my fire for Jesus as a teenager!

“Pastor” Judy Steidel - Ok, so she wasn’t exactly an ordained pastor, but this woman ran a bible study of 80+ teenagers every week in her house. Through her bible study I rededicated my life to God and started going to Victory Family Church. She took me under her wing as a son and showed me what it’s like when someone lives a passionate, sold out life to God. I still get fired up just thinking about her!

Pastor Larry Bettencourt - Ok… so without this man… I have no clue where I’d be! I interned under his leadership for 2 years. He taught me a ton about ministry, opened doors for me, and gave me my first opportunities to speak. I am so thankful for his leadership and now I am grateful for his friendship. He’s changed thousands of lives and he continues to do that through his ministry (Finishline).

Pastor Zack Blair – Sounds weird to call him Pastor because we’ve known each other since we were freshmen in college! It’s been awesome seeing Zack grow into his calling. He is now touching a generation of twenty somethings and he is constantly speaking into my life and taking me to new levels. I love this guy!

Pastor Craig DeBower - PC! I don’t even think I need to say anything else! This man is a walking Bible! He was a CEO and now he is a Pastor… the man has a ridiculous amount of wisdom on the inside of him. It’s a privilege to get to spend time with this guy!

Pastor Steve Moore - Over the past year I’ve gotten the opportunity to spend a lot of time with this guy! He took my leadership/ministry lid and blew it out of the water! My favorite line of his would be when something crazy would happen (pretty regularly) and he’d say to me, “Welcome to ministry!”

Pastor John Nuzzo - When I see everything happening at Victory… I just think to myself… What if Pastor John and Michelle weren’t obedient to God? Wow… thousands upon thousands of lives have been impacted forever as a result of their obedience. They are touching a generation. I can’t even put into words how grateful I am to sit under this mans teaching and leadership…what a privilege.

I would encourage you to think about the Pastors who’ve helped changed your life as a result of their obedience to God and write them a letter, buy them a gift, or simply tell them you appreciate them. Ministry really is a thankless job, you’d be surprised what just hearing “thank you” can do to encourage a pastors heart.

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