There is one aspect of high school missions to reveals both the limitation of campus ministries and the contradictions of our nation's interpretation of religious rights. Here is the First Amendment as it is written:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The great contradiction comes when the government is forced to suspend free exercise in the name of avoiding the "establishment of a religion." The definitions of this text have been reinterpreted over the years. The founding fathers established all kinds of prayers to be said throughout government operations, such as before court comes in session. They also set up depictions of the ten commandments throughout the courts as memorials to the foundations of our nation's laws. Many state constitutions also recognize "Almighty God." What the founding fathers intended was that no one would be forced to participate in a religion, and that no minority religion that adheres to the laws of the land would be condemned.
There was no intention of the "separation of church and state" like we have now. In fact that phrase was never used in relation to legislation or in the courts until the mid 1900s. Presidents often acknowledged God as the source of our nation's prosperity as we acknowledged him as a people. John Adams even called for a national day of fasting to God based on Joel 2! He did not require people who disagreed to participate, it was simply an invitation, and was acceptable under the intention of the First Amendment.
Today the First Amendment has been reinterpreted under the ideology of the 'separation of church and state,' clouded in fear of conflict. We have come to the conclusion as a culture that all faiths are equal, and we want to treat them as such, but it simply is neither true nor possible. We fear the conflict of faiths because our faiths are at conflict and always have been! Jesus is at war with the Satan, and we cannot pretend that they can have peace. Even if equality and peace were the original intention of the founding fathers, it is not possible.
In an effort to bring equality and peace between all faiths, this culture has created a new type of universalistic faith. The problem with this faith is that it, too, has an antichrist agenda. In reality, there is no neutral faith (Luke 11:23). It is Christ or Antichrist, and the evidence is clear throughout history. It is in this universalist culture that Christianity becomes condemned for not being tolerant! Obviously, our nation is braking its own law by establishing a universalist belief system (or faith). Tolerance is now our nation's established religion.
My point in writing this is to reveal the folly of this American dream as it has no understanding of eternity. Equality sounds great until you are standing before the Author of Truth who says "If you aren't with me, you're against me," and "Friendship with the world is enmity towards God" (James 4:4). Therefore, this interpretation cannot stand. It doesn't work! The "Great Experiment" has revealed the inevitable impossibility of the task of religious equality.
Yet this new national faith will continue as mainstream media and Hollywood push it along. The inevitable eventuality is that every other religion will have to be completely removed from government and state institutions, including schools, as tolerance will have to be taught (since it is our nation's religion). Under this interpretation, the government will be forced to suspend "free exercise" in the name of its new faith in equality. But equality was never an option...
This national faith in equality immediately condemns Christianity because of our fundamental beliefs. [Muslims can slip under the radar as their writings permit them to deceive their way to power.] Then Christians are forced to confront the identity of Jesus and the antichrist motive becomes clear. Do we believe Jesus is who he says he is? Is Jesus God? Our acceptance in culture (and our eternal salvation) will be determined by our answer to that question. Already, Christian leaders are renouncing their belief in Jesus as the only way to God in order to gain acceptance! This new faith, at its root, is a very intentional strategic attack by the devil against the identity of Jesus.
As Christians, we need desperately to pray 1 Timothy 2:1-4:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul calls us to pray for those in authority because God desires to break in and see people saved! We need to pray for our Justices, our Senators and Congressmen and our President, whoever it is. We need to pray for a great turning in our nation away from antichrist ideologies that are filled with fear and false doctrine and we need to pray for boldness. History shows us that when a nation is in crisis and threat of judgement, God calls his people to pray. As we pray, we must also stand for truth and not forget what we believe. We have to be honest with people about what we believe and be bold. Pray boldness over the church and over your own life to speak the truth in love.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Why I'm At IHOP-KC
It is one thing to feel like you have found what you are called to do, but it is another thing to know where you are called to do it. Many people feel called to youth ministry, but not necessarily to a specific location. And many people may feel called to a specific location, but aren't sure what to do! It can be very hard to feel like you've figured out what you're supposed to do and where you're supposed to do it, but I know the Lord is able to lead us where we need to be when we need to be there.
In years past, I've heard stories of youth leaders who find the church that feels like the perfect fit, or worship leaders who have been given the opportunity to serve at a church that seems like the perfect fit for them in that season. I also hear stories of youth leaders or worship leaders who want to serve in a church and can't find the right fit, or of those who are currently serving in a church that isn't the right fit. Whenever I hear those stories of when the what (calling) meets the where (location), it sounds miraculous. . . because it is!!!
I've experienced similar stories in my life. When I first started 456, our nonprofit youth ministry organization here in KC, I was looking desperately for churches or ministries to partner with, as far as the East Coast! I didn't want to start an organization on my own, so I explored dozens of opportunities to match the "what" with the "where," or the "who with." Little did I know the answer was in my backyard at IHOP-KC. After realizing that a local church context was not an option at the time, I began looking at para-church organizations to work with, and after a runaround, I met with leaders in the House of Prayer and for the first time I felt like I had found the "where" for this season.
After completing IHOPU and joining full-time staff with the Student Ministries department at IHOP-KC, I am confident that I have found the "where" to match my "what" for this season. The training that I am receiving and the foundation of prayer that I am building is reenforcing my calling like nowhere else could in this season. I don't know where I'll be 30 years from now, but I know that this season at IHOP-KC is critical to that moment 30 years away (even if I'm still in the same chair in the prayer room. Yes, Lord!).
It amazes me and awakens my spirit to be part of a ministry where the worship never ends. Regardless of if there's money or a big building or fancy equipment or even people in the room, the worship will never end. Regardless of who's President or what judgement is coming or if we live or die, the worship keeps going because Jesus is worthy. I could not ask for anything better than to be part of ministry where every outreach and initiative is birthed from a place of unceasing prayer and worship. It is in this context that I get to do youth ministry!
As if that weren't enough, Scripture gives very specific promises related to 24/7 prayer! We are praying the promises of God over our city and nation with an unceasing "prayer cannon," that right now (11:30 AM on Tuesday) is focusing on youth in Kansas City! I get to be part of a prayer room that is shaping history, and I get to do youth ministry with these people. I am so thankful that the Lord has put me here in this season. Wherever I go in the future, I will never forget when I first felt my "what" find its "where," and I am so thankful for this season!
BTW, Samuel was named Samuel because he is being raised in a house of prayer! Glory! Oh that God would use my son as a deliverer and messenger to this nation and turn the hearts of the people to their God! Amen :)
In years past, I've heard stories of youth leaders who find the church that feels like the perfect fit, or worship leaders who have been given the opportunity to serve at a church that seems like the perfect fit for them in that season. I also hear stories of youth leaders or worship leaders who want to serve in a church and can't find the right fit, or of those who are currently serving in a church that isn't the right fit. Whenever I hear those stories of when the what (calling) meets the where (location), it sounds miraculous. . . because it is!!!
I've experienced similar stories in my life. When I first started 456, our nonprofit youth ministry organization here in KC, I was looking desperately for churches or ministries to partner with, as far as the East Coast! I didn't want to start an organization on my own, so I explored dozens of opportunities to match the "what" with the "where," or the "who with." Little did I know the answer was in my backyard at IHOP-KC. After realizing that a local church context was not an option at the time, I began looking at para-church organizations to work with, and after a runaround, I met with leaders in the House of Prayer and for the first time I felt like I had found the "where" for this season.
After completing IHOPU and joining full-time staff with the Student Ministries department at IHOP-KC, I am confident that I have found the "where" to match my "what" for this season. The training that I am receiving and the foundation of prayer that I am building is reenforcing my calling like nowhere else could in this season. I don't know where I'll be 30 years from now, but I know that this season at IHOP-KC is critical to that moment 30 years away (even if I'm still in the same chair in the prayer room. Yes, Lord!).
It amazes me and awakens my spirit to be part of a ministry where the worship never ends. Regardless of if there's money or a big building or fancy equipment or even people in the room, the worship will never end. Regardless of who's President or what judgement is coming or if we live or die, the worship keeps going because Jesus is worthy. I could not ask for anything better than to be part of ministry where every outreach and initiative is birthed from a place of unceasing prayer and worship. It is in this context that I get to do youth ministry!
As if that weren't enough, Scripture gives very specific promises related to 24/7 prayer! We are praying the promises of God over our city and nation with an unceasing "prayer cannon," that right now (11:30 AM on Tuesday) is focusing on youth in Kansas City! I get to be part of a prayer room that is shaping history, and I get to do youth ministry with these people. I am so thankful that the Lord has put me here in this season. Wherever I go in the future, I will never forget when I first felt my "what" find its "where," and I am so thankful for this season!
BTW, Samuel was named Samuel because he is being raised in a house of prayer! Glory! Oh that God would use my son as a deliverer and messenger to this nation and turn the hearts of the people to their God! Amen :)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
2012 - 50 Years Later
It's another year! 2012 is here! Already I've been to several prayer meetings on school campuses and have prayed with the students about what they want to accomplish this year. A new year is here, but walking onto the campus, I couldn't help but be reminded that we still have a lot of work ahead of us. 2012 marks 50 years since prayer was removed from school and the multitudes are trapped in a culture of sin and death.
I have committed to laboring on school campuses until we see a shift in the culture and see Jesus exalted in this generation, but in the corner of my eye I fear our window of opportunity may be closing. Is it too little too late? 50 years after the Supreme Court decision of Engel v. Vitale, the effects of removing God from our culture are realized now more than ever. On one hand we long to see masses of students turn to God and receive salvation, but on the other hand the grip of wickedness seems stronger than ever among our youth.
Once again I am reminded of Isaiah 59 (if you haven't read it, give it a read). Here Israel was in national sin, and listen to the descriptions of Scripture:
See, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save, and His ear is not closed that it cannot hear. But your wrong-doings have kept you away from your God. Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. . . No one wants what is right and fair in court. And no one argues his cause with the truth. They trust in what is false, and speak lies. They plan to make trouble and do what is sinful. . . We hope for light, but see darkness. . . We hope to be saved, but it is far from us. For we have done much wrong before You, and our sins speak against us. . . Justice is turned back. Righteousness stands far away. Truth has fallen in the street, and what is right cannot come in. Yes, truth is not there. And he who turns away from sin comes under the anger of sinners.
Sound familiar? But hear this...
Now the Lord saw this, and it did not please Him to see that what is right and fair was not being done. He saw and wondered that there was no man to speak up for what is right. Then His own arm brought saving power, and what is right with Him gave Him strength.
I think we are in an Isaiah 59 moment in America. We are at the tipping point of judgement, but what if we called on his name as in Joel 2 and He sent revival instead of judgement. In this 11th hour, we have to take this call seriously. I want it to be said of my generation that we gave everything for God and saw breakthrough in our cities and nation. I don't want it to be said that we gave too little too late and that hundreds of millions of souls fell away into judgement. We need a great shaking, but let the shaking be that of our prayers rather than that of judgement.
So this is my proposal for 2012. We need to take a stand as the church for our youth and our nation. We have to become a church that prays. So many of our churched youth don't know how to pray! How can we expect them to survive this culture if they can't even pray? It is time to mobilize our 'social clubs' into prayer furnaces with lifestyles of holiness.
Where are the Davids who said,
"I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
I have committed to laboring on school campuses until we see a shift in the culture and see Jesus exalted in this generation, but in the corner of my eye I fear our window of opportunity may be closing. Is it too little too late? 50 years after the Supreme Court decision of Engel v. Vitale, the effects of removing God from our culture are realized now more than ever. On one hand we long to see masses of students turn to God and receive salvation, but on the other hand the grip of wickedness seems stronger than ever among our youth.
Once again I am reminded of Isaiah 59 (if you haven't read it, give it a read). Here Israel was in national sin, and listen to the descriptions of Scripture:
See, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save, and His ear is not closed that it cannot hear. But your wrong-doings have kept you away from your God. Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. . . No one wants what is right and fair in court. And no one argues his cause with the truth. They trust in what is false, and speak lies. They plan to make trouble and do what is sinful. . . We hope for light, but see darkness. . . We hope to be saved, but it is far from us. For we have done much wrong before You, and our sins speak against us. . . Justice is turned back. Righteousness stands far away. Truth has fallen in the street, and what is right cannot come in. Yes, truth is not there. And he who turns away from sin comes under the anger of sinners.
Sound familiar? But hear this...
Now the Lord saw this, and it did not please Him to see that what is right and fair was not being done. He saw and wondered that there was no man to speak up for what is right. Then His own arm brought saving power, and what is right with Him gave Him strength.
I think we are in an Isaiah 59 moment in America. We are at the tipping point of judgement, but what if we called on his name as in Joel 2 and He sent revival instead of judgement. In this 11th hour, we have to take this call seriously. I want it to be said of my generation that we gave everything for God and saw breakthrough in our cities and nation. I don't want it to be said that we gave too little too late and that hundreds of millions of souls fell away into judgement. We need a great shaking, but let the shaking be that of our prayers rather than that of judgement.
So this is my proposal for 2012. We need to take a stand as the church for our youth and our nation. We have to become a church that prays. So many of our churched youth don't know how to pray! How can we expect them to survive this culture if they can't even pray? It is time to mobilize our 'social clubs' into prayer furnaces with lifestyles of holiness.
Where are the Davids who said,
"I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
A perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil." - Psalm 101:3-4
I will know nothing of evil." - Psalm 101:3-4
"Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways." - Psalm 119:37
It's time to take our faith seriously.
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