You can read Rahab’s story in Joshua 2.

1. Can you think of an instance when it would take courage to show kindness to someone?


Due to the political state in our nation right now – the divide between liberal and conservative, left and right, democrat and republican – it takes courage to show kindness to those on the “other side of the aisle.” For some reason it has now become a political statement to show kindness to illegal (or legal!) immigrants and refugees. It is seen as a political issue to show kindness and compassion towards those in the LGBTQ community. If we as a church began welcoming these people in with open arms, we could be ostracized from our entire faith community. But if there is one thing Scripture is clear on, we are to show love and kindness to EVERYONE – we are all neighbors.

2. Read 1 Corinthians 6:8-11. How do you treat your past mistakes? Do you forget them or embrace them? Why does it matter?


I tend to want to forget my past mistakes. Who I am is not who I was. I would rather forget that part of my life altogether and move on. However…that can be really unhealthy. That can lead to a “holier than thou” mentality. I’ve known many Christians who acted like they never sinned in their lives. They seem fake and hypocritical. I believe it’s a better testimony to the world that we are all sinners in need of a savior. Sure, we are not those people any more, but we all have a past! If we were all perfect, we wouldn’t need Jesus. Rahab embraced her former life as a prostitute and it became a testimony of God’s transforming work in her life. Paul did a similar thing. Maybe we should learn from them.

3. Are you willing to risk everything because of your faith? Why or why not?


This is a tough one. Would I be willing to die for my faith? Absolutely. Would I be willing to risk the lives of my wife and kids because of my faith? That’s not so easy to say. But I realize there are thousands of men and women across the globe for whom that is a day to day reality. I hope and pray that we never have to face that kind of persecution. But if/when we do, I pray that I may have the strength to stand for what I believe in – even if it costs me everything.

You can read Joshua’s story in Numbers 13, Joshua 1-6, 24.

1. Who would you consider a mentor like Moses and a friend like Caleb? How have they encouraged you in your faith journey?


I definitely look up to the preachers I have worked with during my time in ministry. Both Lance in Moline and Allen here in Mitchell have been extremely positive influences in my life. They have both taught me valuable lessons about how to do ministry, how to relate to people, how to approach the Word, how to work well with other church leaders, and much more. They are the Moses to my Joshua or the Paul to my Timothy.
And I would not be the man I am today without close Caleb-like friends in my life – like Bryson, Jordan, Michael, and others. These guys in particular have been there for me in tough times to encourage me, to laugh with me, and to help me see things in a new perspective. I thank God for the fellow godly men he has put in my life.

2. Read Galatians 5:22-23. How might fear keep you from experiencing the fruit of the Spirit?


Most of these virtues listed in Galatians are outwardly focused. They have to do mostly with our relationship to others and how we treat our neighbors. I’ve noticed that when I am fearful, anxious, or worried I tend to turn inward – focusing mainly on myself and my needs. Instead of loving, I become apathetic towards others. Joy becomes reservation and suspicion. I cannot find any peace, especially when I am lying in my bed with worst-case scenarios playing through my head. I get incredibly impatient with people, especially my family. I find it harder to be kind, good, or gentle with people and instead react harshly or sarcastically. I begin to doubt God and lose faith in his ability, choosing instead to trust in my own abilities. And self-control goes out the window, especially if there’s food involved.
Fear, worry, and anxiety are really in opposition to everything God is trying to do through his Spirit!

3. Have you chosen to courageously serve the Lord? Why or why not? If so, how does that show in your everyday life? If not, what is holding you back?


I believe that my family and I are all in when it comes to serving the Lord. I could have chosen just about any profession – many of which would be easier and make a lot more money! But I have followed God’s call into youth ministry. I know there are other things I could be doing that we just don’t seem ready for right now. But if God says “Go,” we will go. The harder part is living out the gospel in my everyday life. I think the biggest part of that is to be a light in the darkness. Our world seems really dark right now. There is a lot of fear and anxiety. I believe it’s part of my job (and the job of my fellow Christians) to show that we have nothing to fear. If God is for us, who can be against us?! What a great testimony it would be to the world if followers of Christ stopped living life in fear!

You can read Miriam’s story in Exodus 2, Exodus 31, and Numbers 12.

1. What’s something you’ve done that took a lot of courage to do? How did you feel afterward?


I remember giving a speech at Grandparent’s Day in 6th grade (I think). It was in front of hundreds, and I was terribly nervous. But I did it, and I did well. It taught me that speaking in front of crowds is not that scary. There’s not mush that could go badly. After doing it once, I was more confident to do it again and again.

2. What do you think are your best skills, talents, or personality traits? How can God use those in his kingdom?


God has blessed me with leadership skills, a relaxed personality, organizational abilities, the ability to understand Scripture and make it relatable, public speaking skills, and a decent singing voice. All in all, I feel like I am doing the best service to God’s kingdom that I can do with the gifts he has given me.
But I also have a passion to help men become better husbands and fathers. Not sure what God has in mind for that, but I’ll follow his lead.

3. Do you ever get jealous of other people’s skills or status? Why? Instead of jealousy, what is a better response?


I get jealous all the time! Maybe not as much as I used to, but more than I should. I see other youth pastors and preachers who get the big speaking gigs or book deals, and I wonder why I can’t do that? Or at least, what can I do to get to that point? I don’t wish them ill, but I want to do that, too!
I’m trying to become more content with where I am and follow God’s lead for me. I am trying to learn from these pastors, speakers, and authors in order to improve my own talents and abilities. I just want to be the best version of myself that I can be. (I see a major pattern playing out in my life! haha)

You can read Moses’ story in Exodus 1-4.





1. Write down as many labels for yourself as you can. Which ones are most important to your self-identity?


Christian     Husband     Father     Youth Minister     Sci-fi Nerd     Book Worm     Science Enthusiast     Worship Leader     Coffee Snob     Whovian     Learner     Performer (3 on Enneagram)     Music Lover     Cat Person     Football Fan     US Citizen     Southerner     Son     Brother     Fixer     Planner/Organizer     Teacher     Wannabe Guitar Player     Pizza Lover     Thinker     Theologian     Disciple     Movie-Goer     Harding University Alumnus     Church of Christ member

2. Has God ever used “wilderness” times to shape you? How?


I can think of 3 times God used wilderness to shape me. 1) Right after high school when I stayed home for a semester while most of my other friends went off to college. God taught me the value of true friendship during that time. But I also learned to be less trusting and open with people. 2) After college when I couldn’t find a ministry job for a year. God taught me to trust him, to rely on his timing, and to work hard no matter what job I was doing. A little hard work goes a long way, especially for those of us who are used to breezing through life. 3) During the end of our time in Moline – far from home, very few close friends, a stagnating ministry with no growth in sight. If we hadn’t gone through that season, there’s no way we would have come here to Mitchell, nor would we appreciate our current situation like we do.

3. In what ways do you see God trying to use you? What “good deeds” might God have planned for you? Are you willing to answer the call or are you giving excuses?


I feel quite confident that God is calling us to become foster parents. We both have a passion and a heart for these children. We have a loving, safe home we could offer to these kids during their darkest times. BUT the timing just doesn’t seem right. God has always made his timing clear to us, and I think we are in a time of waiting and preparation. Or is that just an excuse because we don’t want to right now? I don’t know. But I do know that God will lead us into it when the time is right.

You can read Joseph’s story in Genesis 37, 39-50.





1. In every situation, Joseph did his absolute best. Are you that kind of person? Why or why not?


I am definitely that kind of person. I always have felt the need or the drive to be my best. Not really better than others, but the best I can be. I’m always concerned about what I could do better, what could be improved, etc. And I find myself wanting to impress people – or at least give a good impression. I like to be known, respected, looked up to. I really try to be the best version of myself so that God may be glorified, but often that feels like justifying my own self-aggrandizement.

2. If you had the chance to sin/break the rules, and no one would find out, what would you do?

I hope that I’ve grown and matured enough to do the right thing even when no one is watching. I believe it’s a lie that no one would find out. That’s a lie perpetuated by the “father of lies.” I’m not sure anyone sins and expects to get caught. But would I do what Joseph did? I hope so. If the temptation were strong enough and the risk low enough…then I’m not sure what would happen. That’s why I echo the prayer, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

3. Looking at your life, how may God have been working behind the scenes even in really terrible situations?

I don’t think God ever caused certain things to happen, but I know for a fact that God was working in those times to forma and shape me into the man I am today. Every hardship, trial, and struggle is a catalyst for growth. I know God has used those hard times to help me grow in my faith, my love, my patience, and my understanding.

4. Write down the hardest challenge you are facing right now. Then write down “But the LORD is with me.”


I am struggling with my own self-confidence, wondering if I’m doing what I need to be doing and if this church/youth ministry is heading in the right direction… *BUT THE LORD IS WITH ME.*

You can read the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah in Genesis 29-30.

1. Who do you most identify with in this story?


I feel that I identify most with Rachel, especially when she names Joseph. She finally gets what she wants – a son – but doesn’t even enjoy the moment. She immediately says, “May the Lord add to me another.” She’s seemingly never satisfied. And I can relate! I often find myself saying/thinking, “Ok, that was good, but it could have been better. What’s next?” I catch myself always wondering what’s ahead rather than enjoying God’s blessings in the moment.

2. Why is it so tempting to seek love and validation in our relationships rather than from God?


I think our sense of physical presence has a lot to do with it. Katelyn (my wife) is there. She is physically present. She can hold my hand, kiss me, talk to me. God almost never seems quite as present or tangible. I know Katelyn loves me based on her words and actions. I have to take God’s love based on faith. The flip side is that human love in general is changing or fleeting and rarely unconditional. God’s love is always freely given without any prerequisites.

3. Does it feel like something is missing in your relationships? Ask God to fill that void and to help you stop relying on others for fulfillment.


It seems like a lot of my relationships lack a sense of authenticity and openness. I don’t offer up personal information to people much. And the more highly people view me, the more highly I view myself – which is dangerous.

God,
I know I’m not everything I could be yet, but help me overcome my drive and desire to be the best. I don’t want to rest on my own accomplishments any more. I want to be fulfilled and validated by you and you alone. God, may my life be lived to your glory, not mine. And may I be drawn into your love so deeply that your love spills over into all other relationships.
Thank you for your unfailing, unconditional love that is given through your Son, in whose name I pray.
Amen.

Each week at the end of our Wednesday night class, I am challenging students to reflect on and even journal through some deeper questions that arise from the stories of these characters. I call this exercise “Character Development.” Not only do we look at how each particular character grows, changes, and develops through the narrative, we also ask ourselves how WE are growing, changing, and developing. But this isn’t just an exercise for the students. I am participating, too. In a show of solidarity (and some vulnerability), I am going to post my answers to these Character Development questions for all to read. Though I am a minister, I am far from perfect. I wrestle with many of the same issues that our teens and their families are wrestling with.


You can read Hagar’s story in Genesis 16 & 21. (Our class on Hagar was from January 11.)





1. What problems are you running from?


I feel like I am constantly running away from my past. Like if I can somehow put enough distance between me and the past/memories of the past, then I can really be the person I want to be – which is SO much different than who I was. I want to believe that given enough time and distance, then the old wounds will heal and the holes will be filled in. And that’s sort of true. But it makes it that much harder to go home and face my past all over again.

2. What problem(s) do you have that just won’t go away?


My own self-esteem issues and insecurities. Just when I feel like I’m in a good place, something happens and makes me second-guess myself and my ministry. I take things so personally. A lack of commitment or participation from others feels like a judgment on me as a minister and a person. I wish I could remain more confident in the fact that I am loved by God and my worth is not tied to any outward performance.

3. Does the thought of being seen by God in your weakest moment frighten you or comfort you? Why?


The thought of being weak frightens me. I feel the need to constantly be strong, to be productive, to be successful, to be my best. The thought of weakness and failure terrifies me. But to know that God sees me, looks after me, and loves me at my weakest? That’s a relief. It’s so hard for me not to equate success with love. Love, respect, admiration are all things to be earned (in my mind). But not with God. God looks beyond the outward appearance and into the heart. I don’t often reveal my heart to people, even those closest to me. But God knows. And to be known is to be loved.

4. Give God a name.


El Mibtahi – God is My Confidence / The God who Instills Confidence
I believe in the God who believes in me

I love the quote from George R.R. Martin in his book A Dance with Dragons. One of the characters says, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” Someone else once told me that reading is an act of love. While reading we are listening to one man or woman’s story, thoughts, perspectives, hopes, dreams, fears, ideas, and anecdotes for hours on end. We let them have the floor. Theirs is the only voice we hear. And we don’t talk back. (Well, some of us do talk back to our books…just be careful doing that in public.) We surrender our right to be heard in order to truly listen to the other. We give them our full mental capacity and concentration. Many of us even experience the real world grow more distant as we follow the author into the world inside their head.

It breaks my heart to hear about people who never read. We’ve probably all seen the statistics. A very large percentage of the adult population never reads a book again after college. I would gather that a large percentage never even read a full book throughout their high school or college careers. What a shame.

Anyway, I refuse to be one of those people. Several years ago I set a goal for myself to read at least 2 books a month. I have kept that goal going every year since. Some years I have read way more than that. Other years, I’m barely at my quota. 2016 was not a big reading year for me. But I did manage to read more than 2 books per month. My wife puts me to shame on this, but she is a much faster reader than I am, so….yeah.

Here is a list of the books I read last year in order of completion. Some were great. Others not so much. A few were life-changing. Others were rather forgettable. Regardless, we become the sum total of the stories we experience.

1. The Day I Met Jesus, by Frank Viola and Mary Demuth
2. Man of God, by Charles Stanley
3. How to Start a Riot, by Jonathan Storment
4. More or Less, by Jeff Shinabarger
5. God’s Pursuit of Man, by A.W. Tozer
6. Magnus Chase: The Sword of Summer, by Rick Riordan
7. Taking Theology to Youth Ministry, by Andrew Root
8. Jesus > Religion, by Jefferson Bethke
9. An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green
10. King of Thorns, by Mark Lawrence
11. Emperor of Thorns, by Mark Lawrence
12. Searching for Sunday, by Rachel Held Evans
13. All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir, by Brennan Manning
14. Love Does, by Bob Goff
15. Jesus Creed, by Scot McKnight
16. Accidental Saints, by Nadia Bolz-Weber
17. Paper Towns, by John Green
18. A Farewell to Mars, by Brian Zahnd
19. Deeply Odd, by Dean Koontz
20. The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Golan, by John Flanagan
21. The Ranger’s Apprentice: The Burning Bridge, by John Flanagan
22. Finding God in the Waves, by Mike McHargue
23. Saint Odd, by Dean Koontz
24. The Road Back to You, by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile
25. Magnus Chase: Thor’s Hammer, by Rick Riodan
26. The Trials of Apollo, by Rick Riordan
27. Steal Like an Artist, by Austin Kleon
28. The Deborah Club, by D.W. Pierce
29. The Bible Tells Me So, by Peter Enns

FAVORITE BOOKS I READ IN 2016

–Fiction–

–Non-Fiction–

Some books I look forward to reading (or am currently working on) this year: 

The National Conference on Youth Ministries got underway today in Daytona Beach, FL. The theme this year is “CREATE.” Youth ministry should be inherently creative. More than some other ministries, we have creative freedom to reach as many teenagers as possible. I’m looking forward to what the week has to offer.

As we got started, Luke Norsworthy of the Westover Church of Christ presented the opening keynote. To be honest, his message was a punch to the gut. I’m one of those people who feels the need to achieve my goals, to appear successful, to impress others with my skills and knowledge. When things go wrong or when people don’t respond how I think they should, I take it very personally.

Luke challenged us to minister out of our own God-given significance. It’s not a pursuit of status. We already have status. We are children of God. God loves us and is pleased with us before we ever do anything to deserve it.

He pointed us to the baptism of Jesus. During that sacred moment, God’s voice boomed from heaven, “This is my son whom I love. With him I am well pleased.”

But do we realize that God said this before Jesus ever preached a sermon, performed a miracle, or began his ministry?

Jesus didn’t have to do anything to earn God’s love or favor. Jesus had God’s love and favor already because he was God’s son. Period.

My own boys don’t need to do anything to earn my love or my favor or my pride in them. They already have it. They’re my sons, whom I love. With them I am well pleased.

And we are God’s sons and daughters, whom God loves and is well pleased.

Yet here we are, constantly thinking we have to perform in order to earn God’s love and grace. And ministers are by no means immune to this tendency. In fact, I would argue that ministers are probably more susceptible to this than others. We may begin our ministry careers with the right motives. But then the compliments roll in, the pats on the back keep coming, the number of those in our care increases, and our ego gets fed. We begin to connect our own self-worth to our success, and it feels good.

Really good.

Until it doesn’t.

This can’t last. It’s not a sustainable source of self-worth for ministers or anyone else. Because the success will eventually turn to failure. Attendance will drop. Compliments will be replaced by criticisms. And if our self-worth is tied to success, we can take these failures as personal attacks.

Speaking from experience, this is not a fun or fulfilling way to live.

Luke challenged us, “When you learn to live out of your God-given significance, everything changes. The voice that says, ‘You are my beloved,’ will be enough.”

Then we will be free to create, innovate, and grow in ways we never through possible.

So lift your voice *WOOO* it’s the Year of Jubilee
And out of Zion’s Hill salvation comes


I don’t like to get too political. I tend to lean away from either party and toward the middle. The Libertarian Party appeals to me more than either the donkey or the elephant. I watched bits and pieces of the RNC this week – mostly second hand through late night comedians who help us laugh to keep from crying. I did manage to catch at least some of Trump’s speech last night, and it became very clear to me just how strong the shackles of fear have us in their grips.

According to the speakers at the RNC, we have nothing to fear except everything. And “the only one who can fix it” is Donald Trump.

So what Trump is going to do is cancel all debts. All credit cards and student loans will automatically have a zero-balance. Everyone’s mortgage is going to be paid for. Those living on food stamps will automatically earn a living wage. Healthcare will be offered free of charge to everyone, including corrective eye surgeries. Schools will become fully funded, especially those in lower class areas. Higher education will become available to all who desire to learn. All prisoners (except for those convicted of violent crimes) will receive a presidential pardon and will be released at the earliest opportunity. Those will mental illnesses will be given the absolute best care available in the world.

Doesn’t that sound amazing? A little too good to be true?

Obviously no president (especially NOT Trump) would ever make those sorts of promises. No president would run on the idea of completely reversing all social orders, canceling all debts, and equalling the playing field for every single person. Because those with all the money and power would never go for it.

In Leviticus 25 we read about God’s plan for Israel’s economy. Every 50 years there would be the “Year of Jubilee.” During that year, families could return to their homeland. Property could be redeemed (bought back) by the original owners. And those who had sold themselves as slaves would be released. All debts would be cancelled. All property would return to its original owner. The whole system would get a hard reboot. This would ensure that no one ever got too poor or too rich.

But guess what? There is no historical or biblical record of the Year of Jubilee. As far as we can tell, Israel never honored this 50th year celebration. It’s kind of sad, but also kind of understandable.

Who would the Jubilee benefit the most? Those who are poor, displaced, and oppressed. Who would the Jubilee hurt the most? Those with the money, the land, and the power. Who gets the say in what happens in a nation’s economy? Those with the money, the land, and the power. So it’s not hard to understand why the people of Israel never celebrated Jubilee.

But that doesn’t mean God forgot about it and scrapped the whole thing. Quite the opposite in fact. Through the prophet Isaiah God remind the people about “The Year of the Lord’s Favor.” It’s like the Jubilee, only bigger and better than ever.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3 | NIV)

The people of Israel may have forgotten about the Jubilee, but God steps in and tell them that it’s going to happen whether they like it or not.

Fast forward a few hundred years to the time of Jesus. For his first sermon of his ministry in his own hometown he opens up the scroll and reads from Isaiah 61. Jesus reads this passage, sits down, and tells them that this ancient prophecy is being fulfilled right here and now (Luke 4:16-30). The Jubilee is happening whether they like it or not. But Jesus takes it even further than Isaiah did. Jesus asserts that not only is the “Year of the Lord’s Favor” for the Jews, but it’s also for the gentiles. Jubilee is happening, and it’s happening for everyone!

And everyone celebrated with cake and streamers and a disco ball, making Jesus the hometown hero. Right?

Not exactly. Instead they tried to throw him off a cliff!

We haven’t changed much socially as a species in the two thousand years since Jesus. If any political candidate tried running for office on the platform of Jubilee, they’d be booed off stage in seconds.

We can’t just cancel debts!
We can’t just give everyone free healthcare!
We can’t release prisoners from jail!
We can’t provide quality education to those in extreme poverty!
We can’t offer free treatment for the mentally ill or victims of abuse!

But what have we seen from the Lord’s church throughout the centuries? We’ve seen God’s people fight to end poverty and slavery and human trafficking. We’ve seen God’s people start hospitals and colleges and mentoring programs. We’ve seen God’s people advocate for justice and work to free those wrongly incarcerated. We’ve seen God’s people build orphanages and dig wells and teach marketable skills and trades for people in developing nations. We’ve seen God’s people work to free people from drug addictions and alcoholism.

Everything our politicians say can’t be done, God’s people HAVE done and ARE doing.

The Jubilee is happening whether you like it or not, whether you see it or not. Jubilee is not, as it turns out, a once-every-fifty-years tradition. It’s not just a one time event, or a year-long celebration. Jubilee is a reality in which we, God’s people, choose to live. It’s a reality we work to bring about a little bit each day.

SO LIFT YOUR VOICE! IT’S THE YEAR OF JUBILEE!