michael's blog

Disciple Now 2012

There have been a few times in my life where I’ve seen God move in ways that are simply unexplainable and this past weekend was one of those moments. Our community has an annual event called Disciple Now that brings together youth groups and churches from several counties for an intense weekend of Bible study and worship. Our theme this year was “Redefining Normal” and we have been praying for God to redefine “normal Christianity” and to do the unexpected.

Refuge Message Series

We all pay attention when someone begins to tell a tale of relationships. From a trail of love, kisses and fairy-tale endings to a path of anger, betrayal, broken crowns and tumbling after, relationships can be the best and worst things in our lives. That's why it's worth taking time to navigate the dangerous yet enthralling terrain of relationships, from the once upon a time beginning to the enchanted early days to the happily never after breakups to the fairytale endings.

I have experienced several moments in my life where all I can say to explain what happened is simply, God showed up. This past week at Wayfarer Camp was one of those moments where God's initiative collided with our prerogative and our students ministry experienced His power like never before.  

Refuge Message Series

Ask anyone who has ever run into a sliding glass door that was closed, or went for the same baseball as a teammate, or experienced a fender bender at a stoplight - a collision changes things. Whether it's a bump on the head or a cracked bumper, something is not the same as it was before. The same thing happens when we collide with our God or His truth or even other people. We are changed. But unless we put ourselves in a position to collide, everything will stay the same. So are you ready to change, are you ready to collide?

In our last Refuge service, we talked about the “Vulnerability of Confession” specifically dealing with 1 John 1:9. This is a passage that is often used in witnessing to unbelievers, but the real power behind this verse goes to those who believe. In dealing with believers who sin, John says, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

A Pre-SYATP Rally

Next week, students around our nation will gather together around their school flagpoles to pray for an awakening. See You At The Pole began back in 1990 when a small group of teenagers from Burlson, Texas came together for a DiscipleNow weekend. They came seeking God and little did they know how powerfully He was about to move. On Saturday night their hearts were penetrated like never before, when they became broken before God and burdened for their friends. Compelled to pray, they drove to three different schools that night.

"Where there's smoke...there's fire
And the fire...is here
It's time, time to awaken
Time to wake up and realize the fire is here
That all that we've hoped for and wanted is near.
It's nearer than we thought
And we're getting closer than we ought
And then...
With the burning of a bush
And the speaking of a name
Nothing in this world would be the same
You see the smoke that was a calling to take off his shoes,
Would set us all up to have everything to lose.
And as the shadow was revealed by the Son
We were able to come,
And not only some,
But we all, we all can come.

As high school graduation quickly approaches for many in our community, may we be reminded of the foundation for which we all live and pass it on to our graduates. This past Sunday, Bro.

On Friday afternoon I was driving back from Pensacola with the Disciple Now leaders who could actually make a flight into town and I came across a church sign that was absolutely what I needed to see. "Make your plans in pencil, but give God the eraser. Everything leading up to our Disciple Now weekend seemed to be perfectly in place for an incredible weekend. Everyone was ready and excited to get started on Friday night, but no one could have predicted the weather.