Northside Youth Ministry

Ever been really excited about something, and then you have to wait for what seems like forever to see it happen? For dozens of weeks I've been so excited for my son to be born. I dream about rocking him to sleep, playing with him, teaching him about Jesus and showing him how to live in this complex world. I'm getting tired of waiting. I wish he would be born today and he could come today, or it could be another 3 weeks.

As we wait in life we learn patience. We learn to cast our eyes on Jesus and know that he is in control. I'm enrolling in the school of patience as I wait for my son to be born. As you wait for whatever it is you're looking forward please join me in the school of patience that is taught by the spirit of God.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is . . .  patience . . ." (Galatians 5:22)

I've been thinking a lot about God's grace lately. I believe that we must learn how to receive and release the grace of God. Grace is unearned and undeserved favor and love. Francis Chan says that, "God's grace takes us from the punishment we deserve to the blessing we don't deserve." Grace isn't based on our performance, it's received based on our faith in Jesus Christ. 

For years the blacks in South Africa were oppressed by the white people who ran the country. In the 1990's Nelson Mandela was elected President and the horrible practice of aparthied ended. Instead of punishing white leaders for their crimes they offered them forgiveness. All they asked was that they would openly confess the crimes they had committed. That is all Jesus asks of us, to confess our sin and put our faith in his grace and love to make us whole. 

Brennan Manning says, "The only reason that we're loveable is because God loves us." No of us deserve grace, but God gives it to us anyway, because that's just who he is. 

I just got back from a Spokane where I was taking a class at Gonzaga. We spent 3 days talking about the creative, about the right side of our brain, the side that imagines. I'm more of an analytical person than a highly emotional or creative person. However, I believe that creativity needs to be unleashed. Are you a creative person? How can we use our creativity to shape a Jesus Culture?