XG Camp

The church has come so far in valuing youth and their importance to a church. In fact, I believe one of the signs of a healthy church is a vibrant youth ministry. I’m so thankful that my children will have the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing at HOF in Club Faith, Xplode and XG Youth Church. It’s often said that our children are our future, but in resources and emphasis another view of youth is portrayed. Vanessa and I usually go spend the Wed. night of camp with our youth to say to them, “you are important to us and we value you”. This past camp was at Nicholls St. in Thibodaux and Wade preached a phenomenal message on the night we attended. I know that God is at work in the hearts of our youth and I see their passion for God, their freedom in worship, and their conviction in committing. I believe that we need to speak the language of the young so they can run with the message of Christ’s love. Wade and Cynthia and their team do a tremendous job of speaking to that generation. I’m constantly reminded that the whole church doesn’t look like me, the church is young, vibrant, has hi-lighted hair, wears jeans w/ holes, rap their songs, and may be pierced or tattooed. If Jesus was willing to die for them, and they’ve accepted Him then I will love them and partner with them to see God move in our day and our time. I thinking about getting some red or blonde hi-lights, what do you think?

The Privilege of Praying

Last week, Connor and I were the guest of Sen. Jody Amedee to open the Louisiana Senate session in prayer. What an awesome privilege to pray over the men and women who make the decisions that govern the lives of the 4 million of us who live in the state. Since I’ve gotten older there has always been a desire in my heart to associate with great leaders. God has blessed me with the opportunity to be around some of the best of the church world as we have been graced with many in the immediate area. I guess God knew that tough places like Louisiana needed the best. Huey Long once said, “One day Louisianians will get good government, and when you do, you won’t like it.” I don’t believe that for a moment. The proverbs state that when the righteous rule, the people rejoice. I make it a habit to pray for good leadership as you should because what they do in our states capital affects the lives of everyone today and the lives of our children in the future. I prayed from the words of King Solomon, who is described by the Bible as the wisest man who ever lived. “Who by himself is able to govern this great people of Yours?” What a wise thought, who can govern by himself? I never want to try and lead without Jesus.

Now these are my friends

Jesus spoke to his “friends” that we often call disciples and told them they were His friends because he told them everything the Father had told Him from John 14:15. That is a new slant on friendship; it’s someone you can tell everything that God tells you. I would not be where I am today is it weren’t for my friends. I had the opportunity to eat with my friend, Greg Surratt, from Sea Coast Church Saturday night after he spoke at HPC. He told me some things that God had showed him that I needed to hear. He spoke to a concern that I had in the ministry and I felt like it was one of those “divine” appointments set up by the Holy Spirit. It was arranged by another friend, Pastor Dino, who was out of the country ministering. Just last night another friend of mine, Kennis Smith, from DeRidder came by and we had dinner together. He’s another friend, and I love to talk to him because he tells me what God’s saying to him and doing there at his church. Tonight after church another friend of mine is going to stay with me. He’s preaching at HPC and we’ll spend the morning telling each other what we feel God is doing and saying to us. I talk a lot during the course of a day, but the richest times that I spend are the times when I get together with those who I can tell what God has spoken to me or they tell me what God has spoken to them. If you don’t have someone that you can tell what God’s telling you, you need a friend. God we need good friends.

Out of Place

Yesterday Wade and I went for lunch to a local sandwich shop and I found this billiard ball lying all alone in the parking lot. No one was around and its owner had long since gone so I picked it up as it was a cool thing to find in a strange place. I thought one of my kids would like it. As I drove to do some things I began to think about the ball and these thoughts came to my mind. I couldn’t tell if it was a 6 or a 9 ball because it was separate from the others and depending on the way it was held, it could have been either. Then it struck me that it really did have much use apart from the rest of the set, and without a pool table it really was more dangerous than fun. Those things are heavy and hard and I began to have second thoughts about giving it to one of my kids. I began to relate that billiard ball to people who are all alone and not part of a set of others they belong to or in an environment where they make sense. If we aren’t a part of a set then we really don’t know who we are, a 6 or a 9 ball. God’s idea of family and church began to make so much more sense to me. It’s because I’m part of a family and a church that I know who I am and what my part is to be. God wants that for every stray billiard ball out there.

Catch the Fire

Sunday night was a great time with the leaders of HOF. 175 people came out to be a part of what God is building in our church life as we got challenged about being the church. Reihnart Bonke challenged us with this quote, “The Church of Jesus Christ is not a pleasure boat, but a life boat for saving souls….” We shared a meal of pizza together and talked about how the film spoke to our hearts that night. I was so glad to see the whole span of generations represented, leaders from Xplode, XG youth church, Club Faith, and of course HOF leaders. God is doing something big at HOF and it’s bigger than one person, bigger than one part of the ministry, and I can’t wait to see it unfold. So many people invest in our church that most have no idea about, but I am thankful to God for them all. The vision of church that God has allowed me to see is coming to pass, He’s causing it to happen as we are faithful to speak it and allow Him to move. I can’t wait to see what happens after we catch the fire.