This is another edition of “That’s My Testimony.” Usually we highlight the life of a young person that was hooked on drugs or different types of vices. However, this is an episode highlighting a young person that did not experience, “the world” (drinking, smoking, partying, pre-marital sex, etc) What an amazing testimony. Check it out.
There are times in our lives that we feel “stuck.” We often feel stuck in our relationships, jobs, finances, and in our personal lives. Because of the busyness in our lives, we tend to even get stuck in ruts and routines. We get stuck in bad habits and much more. It doesnt feel good to be stuck. It feels like being a fly caught up in a web. An so often we try to dust off the web. we say things like,”if i just erase their number” or ” if I just get a new job” Those things are good, but they are only dusting off the web. Cause many people end up right back in that same rut again . In order to be UNstuck, we cant just dust off the web, but we must kill the spider. See, the spider is the root to the web. There are roots in are lives that cause us to be a certain way. Maybe the lack of a dad, or growing up in a certain environment caused us to be a certain way. I believe there are 3 reason why people stay stuck:
1. They have been stuck for so long, so they just accept the fact that “it is what it is” ” My dad was like this, and so was his dad, so Ill be like this too” is what so many people say. That doesnt have to be the case. We have to get sick and tired of being sick and tired, and say enough is enough. I dont have to struggle, Im not a mistake, I am a child of God, A kingskid! We must know that there is no hole to deep, no mistake to big, and no struggle to hard, that God cannot turn it around! Just believe again!
2. They have accepted settling for 2nd best: Sometimes whats best for our lives takes the most work to get. So often people expect maximum results with minimal effort. So people figure they can have an OK life and not work as hard. Kinda like the LA Clippers. Donald Sterling (The owner) has accepted the fact that they WILL NOT WIN. So instead of forking out lots of money on players, he stays where he’s at. But that is not a good place to be. No matter where we are and what we are going through, there is always something better for us to strive for.
3. They dont know how to get UNstuck: Many people stay stuck cause they dont know how to get UNstuck. I believe there are a few simple steps we can take.
A. Change our routines-”if you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always be what you’ve always been.” What is it that we are doing that we can do differently? Whats something that we are not doing, that we should be doing? Lets evaluate!
B. Change our relationships- we can be good people with good intentions, if we are eagles and we’re rolling with chickens, we need to fly off and roll with another crew. DUST OFF THE HATERS!
C. Change how we reach-out- sometimes a simple call and cry for help will be all we need. We will be surprised with how many people have gone through what were going through. But we cant get help if we dont ask for it.
And if we do these things, we will change our Results!
“Word on the Street”
This is my video blog series, episode 2 entitled crossover. I pray that this will help you to build or grow in your area of ministry.
The question of whether or not a person has influence, is like asking if a person has character or not. Everyone has character, the questions is, if a person has good or bad character. The same thing is true with influence. Its not a question of whether or not a person has influence, its whether they have positive or negative influence. What do the following people or things have in common: Orpah, President Obama, Kanye West, MTV, Diddy, and etc? Influence! These people have an ability to change people around them with their lives.
The definition of influence is-the capacity to have the effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. What type of effect are we having on the people around us. As christians we have a greater responsibility. And especially as leaders we have even more responsibility. Here are some things that our influence should produce:
1. Salvation- people should see our lives and desire to serve God
2. Excitement- As leaders, out pastor should never have to challenge us to get excited, but we should be the ones modeling that excitement
3. Mobilization- This is the true test of influence. We can get people to our services, but can we get people to youth convention, world conference, to give finances? That is the acid test of influence.
Here are 3 things that influence is not:
Commanding, demanding, or reprimanding. Our influence should be centered out of love.
Instead of being like celebrities that influence people to do crazy things, lets influence people to get closer to God and to do his work.
-Word on the Street-
I want to talk a little bit about being innovators. There are a few definitions for the word innovate. I just want to focus on 2.
1. To introduce something new
2. To make changes in anything established.
I believe that as christians, we should be on the cutting edge of innovation, creativity and development. WHY? Because we serve a God of excellence. I feel like there are too many christians “SWAGGER JACKING” the world. I know that the bible says that there is nothing new under the sun. Thats true. But I also believe that we are NEW creations in Christ. That means that we have a new mind. I pray all the time for God to give me creative ideas to reach this generation. Not that I have obtained it or anything, but you feel what Im saying. We need God to grow us in creativity and innovation. Again why? Beacuase we are competing with the world. MTV (who is the owner of Nickelodeon) says “We dont advertise to this generation, we own this generation.” Thats a pretty intense statement. But there is so much truth to it. We have to REBEL. We are competing with youtube, facebook, MTV, BET, Reality shows, Radio Stations, and more. AND they are all doin’ it big.
I believe that its OUR TIME, to rise up and be the trendsetters in this generation. When I say our, I mean christians. I think people should be bumping our music, wearing our clothes, watching our youtube videos, following US on twitter. Is anybody feeling me?
But at the same time, like the definition says, we can take something and make changes. But lets not settle for that. Lets be creative, trendsetters, innovators, creators, developers, all for Gods honor and glory. Lets be risk takers.
There are things inside of many of us that the world has never even seen. (Inventions, albums, clothing, designs, restaurants, websites, ways to reach this generation, and more. Shout out to all of you that are doing it big for God. You know who you are. Keep doing it. Pastor Al and his church say, ELEVATE. But for today I say, INNOVATE
Lets think outside the box ya’ll!
Until next time-Word on the Street-
Crossover is a basketball term using the dribble to leave your opponent behind. What I want to do with Crossover is hopefully inspire people to leave whatever enemy they may have, behind. Also the Cross, I want to be able to use biblical truths to bring about change in whatever area of life. Hopefully the readers and the viewers enjoy and are inspired. Leave a comment, let me know what you think. Or send in some question or topics you would like discussed. thanks
Well, youth convention 2009 came and went. But the impact and impressions that it made on all of us will forever remain. What a great move of God. Moments like that make the toil and the hard work worth it. Theres nothing better than seeing the people that you have prayed for all year get the touch from God that you wanted for them more than they wanted for themselves. I think all the expectations were met and even surpassed. From the openings to the worship, from the preaching to the presentations. I believe it was on of the best. I had the privilege to preach at this years convention and I feel the message that God gave me really dealt with many hearts including my own. No Plan B were the 3 words that I shared on. But the 3 words that will continue to motivate us are the 3 words spoken by our GANG leader, ITS OUR TIME…
This is our youth ministries latest edition of thats my testimony. We interview young people and allow them to share where they came from and where theyre going. See what God is still doing….
Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.
I just wanted to talk a little bit about how I feel with celebs getting let off of everything they do. Now dont get me wrong, I love watching TMZ and E!, I even have those apps on my phone. But the thing that bothers me is when you have a money there are always ways of getting out of the consequences or at least only getting a slap on the wrist. Now there have been exceptions like Mike Vick, TI, and OJ. But there are very few exceptions. Im not gonna say that Im a hater or anything, but i just wonder if the average “Joe” got busted for something, if they would just walk away with probation? Doubt it. Take for instance Donte Stallworth who was driving drunk and killed a pedestrian, got only 30days in jail. Chris Brown allegedly beat up Rhianna and got probation. Im not taking sides on anything but im just saying, if that was a normal person, would they just walk away with such light penalties? doubt it.
But the bible does say that Gods goodness should lead men to repentance…
I dont know what Im saying, Im just rambling. Let me know what you think…
-Word on the Street-
