here’s a post that i did at the beginning of 2009 which pretty much crescendo the entire year to what God has done.
- 2009… here we come

Top 5 Blog Articles

5. Generational Reconciliation – God is going to reconciled the generations. Bring the Hearts of the Fathers to their children, and the heart of children to their fathers. We need spiritual fathers that will release their spiritual children and propel them.

4.  Friends of the Bridegroom – Based after a song by Desperation Band; article talking about a growing desire to want to be friends with Jesus, the Bridegroom. There is a movement to just be known as a friend of the bridegroom.

3. Allured towards Love – Hoses 2:14, God is alluring us to the desert to speak tenderly to us. We must know our new name and embrace being in a place where God wants to show His Love to us.

2. A Benaiah Generation – Chasing the Lion of Judah no matter what the circumstances are. Its a Desperate Pursuit and those who Chase will go beyond the veil.

1. Intimacy with the Bridegroom – All is needed is the intimacy of God. This blog talks about being found with intimacy overflowing just like the 5 wise virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. Oil of Intimacy, so sweet!

Top 5 Things that Happen

5. Back-To-School Celebration – It was totally sweet!!! God’s Salvation and Blessings revealed to the those less fortunate. God worked on the hearts of the people. Every child received a free bookbag filled with school supplies, bags of candy and the love of Christ.

4. Conferences – Ignite Spring Break, Ignite Gatherings, Jesus Culture, Dreamers Conference, plus more: This years conferences were all off the chains. I was really digging all the fun and community that was going on. More importantly, the authentic release of God’s love and grace… and the awesome response from the students.

3. Youth family night in July was a huge success because of Grace. The volunteers, the students, the awesome food and the fellowship of the a body of believers and non-believers alike. Community is so important !!! Jesus is Mighty to Save.

2. YP Friends and ministries [new/old, never met - lol ] – I have grown so much in the last year as it relates to student/youth ministries, leadership and the value of friendship. The blogs, tweets,video chats, phone calls, and networks –You have made a lasting impact.

1. All the lives touched. This is a big one for me. Its important to know that I have made a difference in the lives of the people I pastor, serve, lead, prayed and fellowship with.

How about you… what did your 2009 consisted of?

About 3 weekends ago I attended an intense 2-day conference called the Dreamers Conference. It was given by a new friend, Cory Hallett and his student ministry, RiverStone Student Ministry.  Worship at the conference was led by Daniel Bashta and Jake Hamilton. It was totally insane and very intense. Love seeing students surrender to God especially through worship and prayer. Scott Thompson was the main speaker for the conference and man was he on point with my heart and the current state of where I am at in my 23 years of life. During his message on Saturday night he said something that totally hit me like a ton of bricks [I know… an old cliché - but work with me.] “Dreamers are willing to chase God through the Veil”

Immediately I felt a sense of the Holy Spirit leaning upon me.  I was instantly reminded of a teaching series I did back in March called “theChasing.” The main idea of the teaching series was base out of two scriptures (Psalms 24:5-6 NIV, Luke 9:59-62 NIV). There is a desperate pursuit in all of our lives to give ourselves wholeheartedly… and chase after the one Jesus Christ, forgetting all and simply pursuing. There are somethings in life we will only accomplish and obtain when we lay everything aside and  just chase God.. into the Holy of Holies.

As Scott continued speaking the Lord downloaded and released this phased in my spirit A Benaiah Generation. I’m thinking to myself, ‘what in the world does this have to do with Chasing God.’ Then it hit me… Benaiah – you know, the one who chase a lion into a pit on a snowy evening.

²⁰ Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 2 Samuel 23:20

I honestly believe God is about to setup a generation of believers  who would walk in the authority, boldness and zeal of Benaiah, willing to chase the lion. BUT this chasing won’t be to kill a lion or seeing the lion as a enemy or foe… BUT to embrace it, love it and surrender to it. This lion you are thinking  about is not an ordinary lion. This lion is known as the King of all kings, and is the hope of the nation. This remnant will ultimate chase after the LION OF JUDAH, Jesus Christ, even in the extreme measures of life (snowy day in a pit)! This has been violently pulsing in my heart for the past few weeks. There’s a great cry being released from many teachers and leaders alike… will we hear this cry and answer by action. Chasing after the one true thing that matters and pursuing his heart. Knowing Jesus as the Lion of Judah, the one who has overcame and eagerly waiting to open the scrolls and release the seven seals – Revelation 5:5. We must partner with his cry, his heart, his love, his desire and his judgments. This generation will want to be identified with the ultimate bridegroom and the judge!!!

Dreamers willing to chase after God through the Veil – yeah, sign me up!!!

A friend and fellow youth pastor ask me this question about a month ago and since then, I had 3 people ask me the same question:

Should Christians (teens, college-aged, adults) who are dating spend the night (sleepover) at each others house? And if so, what age or stage in the relationship should this happen?

Post your comments and responses….

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