Category Faith Foundations/Bible Study

More New Stuff

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

One new look wasn’t enough, I thought I’d try one other new thing (sort of)…

Last week I began an 8-city mini-tour to promote Youthmark Mission Ventures.  As part of the leader lunch I preview the YMV materials for the 2010 season.  The end-goal is to have Youth Leaders see and understand that what we are offering through Youthmark is much more than a mission trip.

My passion is to see students (and all of us for that matter) reproduce ourself on our own campus, in our own clubs and in our communities.  The idea of going outside of our own home context should be an extension of what we’re already doing in our own home-town. So, the idea of a mission trip comes out of our passion for missionship (to be a missionary at all times).

Last spring, as part of our 2009 training I debuted an idea I had, the FOF Challenge. Because I firmly believe that Christians need to be witnesses wherever/whenever, I challenged the participants to do it online as well. This was HIGHLY successful and I still am receiving emails and Facebook messages talking about the relational conversations students (and leaders) have had as a result of the FOF Challenge.

As part of our Youth Leader Lunch and preview I share about the practical things we do to prepare/train students “for a life of mission,” so, this last week and in six other cities, I will train Youth Leaders in how to use the FOF Challenge in their youth groups (and hopefully their own lives).

If you are on Facebook, I challenge you to take the FOF Challenge as well. If you’re not on Facebook, I bet a lot of your non-believe friends are, so get on and get going!

And here is what’s new:

The FOF Challenge has its own website and blog.  So, rather than me explaining it here, go to the website, check it out, read about it and then do the challenge!  I want to hear your stories, I want to pray for those you’re sharing with.

Check out fofchallenge.com

So, what would it look like for you?… it’s mid-October, what if you took the challenge between now and Thanksgiving?  Or perhaps you want to study up on some Scritptures and you want to do the challenge for all of November?  How about between Thanksgiving and the New Year?  Set a time and take the challenge; maybe, just maybe we’ll see new brothers and sisters come to faith in Christ!

Grace,
Brian

Similar Conversations

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

A Call To Christians…

Pretty exciting stuff happening in the lives of believers here, at least this is what I am sensing.  I’m so hopeful that we will continue to see believers step up in their pursuit of sharing Christ with those who do not know Jesus as Lord.  For too long we have thought that missions means “over there.”  The way I read Acts 1:8 is that “mission” means “everywhere” (our immediate area, those that are different within our area, just outside our immediate area and then all across the land–that’s my interpretation of “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth).

Greg Stier (President of Dare 2 Share) and I just exchanged a couple emails along these lines and I am happy to see he commented on my last post.  I did the same on his blog (gregstier.org) under a post by Greg.  Go check it out and comment on his blog here.

If you don’t feel a heart for the unsaved,  if you don’t sense a calling to your neighborhood/coffee shop/school/workplace, if you’re not moved to share your faith with those who don’t know Jesus, then I will say something quite bold–You may not know Jesus. Please don’t just blow over those words, read them, contemplate them, take them before the Lord and consider.

I’m proud to read some the emails and FB messages a number of you have given me along the lines of your “relaunch” into your mission field (campus, club and community). Keep it up for His glory!  Prayer, care and share!

The more you pray for the lost, the more you care for them and the more you want to share with them.  Start with prayer.  Witness what Jesus did with His message and how He got it out (by word & deed, not just deed).  Look at the Apostles, see how Peter was the first to step out in faith after Jesus ascended in Acts 1. In Acts 2, 3, 4, etc. we see the Disciples begin to actively share (in word and deed, not just deed) Here we are 2000 years later–it’s time for every Believer to “step up” and pray, care and share.

Amen?

Amen!

Grace,
Brian

More Questions

Brian Aaby 8 Comments

Yep, that’s right, going right at the core of Christianity with this one.  Or at least what I think is at the core.

IYHO (for those out of the texting generation: In Your Humble Opinion), why aren’t Christians more active in sharing their faith with words?

Very open ended question, one that might cause offense, defense or neutrality.  One that in answering may cause you to reflect and face your own strengths, weakness or hypocrisy.  But I’m throwing it out there for discussion.  Statistics say that the average American Christian will not ever share (with words) his/her faith in an effort to have that person know and receive the Love of Christ. Why do you think this is the case?

I will eventually get around to answering these questions I am posting, but for now, I’m going to pose a few more.

Don’t hesitate to go back to my previous post and think through any of the answers you may have for those questions as well.  I appreciate the couple answers I have gotten already (I had a couple people email me rather than posting their thoughts under “comments”).

Appreciate anyone willing to risk in answering these questions.  Once again, don’t use names in negative examples (unless you’re talking about yourself and want to share a personal life-lesson). Thanks!

Grace,

Brian

God’s Word @ Work!

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The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind, launching the ID/MT missions (YMV #2), landing the first YMV, traveling around to each of the 7 YMV #2 towns, home for a couple days, over to Spokane for the YMV #2 Landing, off the next morning to Washington Family Ranch (YL camp) and then home just in time to see my girls at their VBS program only to leave the next morning for the YMV #3 Launch in Dallas!  Now, I’m home!  Whew!

One thing I am seeing weaved through all of these adventures:  God’s Word (and Spirit) are at work in MIGHTY ways!

For whatever reason the following pictures tell the story to me.  Psalm 46:10 says “be still and know that I am God.”  As we take the time to acknowledge this, rest in it and then live in response to this great truth we see Him at work.  These students and staff took that time on Saturday morning in Dallas, I pray they (and we) continue to do so…

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” ~James 1:22

May we be doers!

Grace,
Brian

A Youth Ministry Story

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

The speaker released the students to a 15-minute solo time to think about and perhaps even pray about what each camper had heard over the last five days of this amazing seven-day experience.  Silently they all left the building, the song “silent night’ doesn’t begin to describe how quiet these students were after the powerful demonstration of God’s love being poured out for these high school sinners.

One young man had fallen in love with the scenery surrounding him and knew exactly where he wanted to go and think.  He made his way to a dock overlooking the perfectly still waters.  The reflection of the mountains was almost as clear as the day above the water.

Several other students chose a similar setting, but none was within 50 feet of this soon-to-be-senior.

Kevin, his cabin leader approached him.  Several minutes of conversation ensued, but was quickly coming to an end when Kevin asked, “so, are you ready?”

The young man’s response, “ready for what?”

“Ready to begin a relationship with Jesus?”

“No” he replied.

Kevin, looking like someone just told him water is actually orange, said with hesitation, “really?”

The young man, “you see Kevin, I can’t have a relationship with God, I have too much junk in my life back home; I am not a religious guy, never have been… I cuss, I have done lots of other bad stuff and am dating a girl who really doesn’t believe there is a God.”

Kevin simply sat with the young man for a minute and then quoted and explained Romans 5:8 to him.  “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The boy didn’t remember the exact words, but remembered the point–you don’t need to clean-up and make-up for your sins before you can have a relationship with God… God initiated and God wants a relationship with you.

On June 28, 1990 (19 years ago today), I asked Jesus to take control of my life.  He became my Lord, my Savior and the ONE whom I desire to please with my life–because He pursued me!

Grace,
Brian

FoF Update Again

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What my Status Update looks like right now

What my Status Update looks like right now

 

 

The FoF (Faith on Facebook) Challenge is about 6 weeks old and I am very encouraged by the emails, texts and facebook messages I continue to receive. 

For those “not in the know,”  the FoF Challenge was given as the last message at each of the Youthmark Mission Venture training events.  Here were the dates/places people received the challenge:

April 3-4: Lake Retreat, 6 churches from Western WA received the challenge.

April 19: Escondido CA, the Emmanuel Faith group received the FoF Challenge.

April 25: Two Colorado Springs groups received it.

April 26: A group from Glenwood Springs was trained and received the challenge.

May 3: The Spring, TX group was challenged by the FoF

May 8-9: The remaining 12 churches from Western WA came to Lake Retreat and were given the FoF Challenge.

Participants are asked to donate their “Status Update” for a week, a month, or until their mission trip this summer.  In the update they are to write something along the lines of “Ask me about my FoF Challenge.”  In turn, Facebook friends do begin to ask about the FoF.  The trained missionary is then able to respond (usually in a private message) by saying something like: “The FoF is a Faith on Facebook Challenge I am taking, the challenge is to find out what my FB friends think of Jesus… so, what do you think of Jesus?  Who do you believe Him to be?”

The goal is to open up spiritual conversation between FB friends!  

It is working!

There is not a day that goes by I don’t receive some sort of FoF related question, comment, report, etc.  

I am proud of the FoF participants!

The neatest thing, I am finding the FoF is giving me more confidence offline too!  I am quicker to engage in spiritual conversation anywhere (as it should be)!

You wanna join the FoF revolution?  Jump on!

Grace,

Brian

Risky Breakfast in Bellevue

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(UPDATED Thursday afternoon): I just returned from a breakfast in Bellevue.  Food was great; fellowship was great (sat with some good ministry friends) and the subject was pretty risky for this group!

Bellevue Christian hosted this Pastors/Ministry Breakfast and asked the founder (Craig) from XXXChurch to come and share about the ministry.  XXXchurch.com exists to help people who have, will have or deal with people who have a problem with internet pornography.  Which, according to statistics, almost every person reading this post has consumed it (intentionally or unintentionally) in some way or another (this is certainly not a accusation that you are dealing with a problem, however it is a plea for all of us to deal with THE PROBLEM).  

X3 is the accountability software they produced/distribute (free) at www.xxxchurch.com.  It is available in both mac and pc.  I was very impressed with the presentation and thankful that Craig and others are speaking honestly about an area that has really influenced (read: HURT) millions of lives/families.

Interesting story, a few years ago xxxchurch was asked to provide a cd of their software to all the participants at a large national conference.  They handed out 9000 copies of this software to pastors/leaders.  They had installed a tracking mechanism simply to count how many people registered out of the 9000.  83.  Craig said that hundreds of pastors/leaders had thanked them for the software, said things like, “this is sooo needed in our church,” etc. etc.  Hmmm?  Only 83/9000 used it.  

What is the problem? Well, the problem is that a Pastor, Leader, Youth Pastor, etc. might think that having the program means that others will believe they HAVE a problem.  Will pride be the reason a person doesn’t seek accountability?  Quick side note: This issue is not just a “male” issue either.  Experts predict that 40% of pornography is viewed by/purchased by females.

Here’s how it works: You have the software (download for free here) and you then ask two accountability partners to receive the report, via email, of any questionable web sites visited by the registered computer.  The two accountability friends would then be responsible to contact the person who may have surfed in dangerous waters.  So the problem (pride): If a person loads the software onto his/her computer it may be assumed that he/she has a problem rather than just assuming they want to live a pure life.  

Quick Facts (provided by xxxchurch):

·         53% of Christian men consume pornography

·         57% of pastors call pornography the most sexually damaging issue for their congregations

·         69% of pastors started looking at porn out of curiosity

·         World wide porn industry is: $57 billion; feeding the population of Sudan for a year: $15 billion.

·         Porn revenue is larger than all combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises

·         Worldwide visitors to pornographic web sites: 72 million annually

·         90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed porn online (most while doing homework)

·         Experts believe that a porn addiction may be harder to break than a heroin addiction

So… here’s the risk:  Will you do it? I am going to.  My wife and another best friend will soon be asked (by x3 software) to be my accountability, NOT because I have a problem, but because I want to strive for holiness in all aspects of my life.  Anyone else going to risk?

Grace,
Brian

The Eagle Has Landed

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

I had the honor of speaking at the Eagle Court of Honor  for Alex Randall yesterday.  Thanks Alex (Alex was in my small group of guys who just graduated in June of 2008).

I used 2 Timothy 3:10-17 as my text.

 

Alex last summer on our trip to AZ

Alex last summer on our trip to AZ

My prayer for Alex is similar to the charge from Paul to Timothy:

 

 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

How about you?  For the Christians in this readership, are you standing firm in the things the Lord has taught you?  Are you following the example of those Godly people who have provided the example?  You see, my prayer for Alex, is really a prayer for all of us!  Let’s use these last few days of 2008 to examine where we have been, celebrate His work, thank those who have set the example and seek His Word and Spirit for the direction of 2009.

Congratulations, once again, to Alex, and thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak from this passage, it gave me some great moments of meditation!

Grace,
Brian

Faith Foundation: Reorganization

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

 

The weather has changed, the leaves have fallen, the lawn mower can be put away (I hope) for the next few months… but where can I put it?  You see, for the last several months we have been in transition.  Things have been jumbled ever since I moved out of my church office and into my home office (I still “office” at coffee shops, but at least I had a physical storage spot, an office, at the church to keep my books).  Upon the departure from Boulevard, we brought all the books into the garage because we were in the midst of our major overhaul; the playroom upstairs moved downstairs to have a nursery/bedroom for Will.  The spare room downstairs became the playroom.  The dining room became the homeschool room.  The school room eventually took on about 3/4 of my books as well, leaving 1/4 of them for the non-space in the garage.  The end-result, Elisabeth could park her car in the garage, but I couldn’t–cycling us back to the beginning of this post– the weather has changed.  Colder weather finally motivated me to do the major deep cleaning of the garage, so that I, eventually, could park in the garage as well!  Which DOES lead me to the faith foundational thought.

during the reorganization

during the reorganization

Making progress

Making progress

 

My life often gets cluttered as well.  My garage often becomes the place where we store odds and ends until we can figure out where to put them/hide them.  Sometimes it is the collection place for junk to be thrown out or the storage area for new gifts yet to be opened.  I think I do the same thing with my Spiritual life.  Sometimes I throw things into “storage” with the intention of getting to them eventually.  And then there are things I’m ready to “do” (read: add) that I can’t quite fit into my schedule so it just sits.

1/2 way done

1/2 way done

 

It took all day, but all the storage containers came down, every box was opened and reorganized.  The broom and air-blower were put to good use and everything was reorganized.

ahhh, space!

ahhh, space!

 

I am now doing the same with my Spiritual life.  I want to reorganize the way my time with the Lord looks and feels right now.  Old habits will be tossed into the garbage and space will be made for some new practices!  Praise God,

fresh start

fresh start

 

 

 

 

 

 

He is making all things new!

Grace,
Brian

Faith Foundations: Discipline

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It’s already almost 2:00 and I am finally getting to my Monday morning post!  At least it is still morning in Hawaii!?!  However, I have good reason for not posting until now.  I am living with discipline these days!  

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. ~1 Timothy 1:6-7

As I arrived at my local coffee shop this morning, I had a list of seven things which I thought I needed to accomplish today, my blogging was sixth on that list, and low and behold, I have kept to the list!  

Though Paul probably did not intend, “list making” as the self-discipline for Timothy, it is clear that Timothy was to be bold with his self-discipline.  Timothy apparently struggled with timidity, his young age and perhaps even speaking boldly. He was given the instruction to fan into flame these things.  I love that word picture.  

Having recently returned from Southern California were able to see the fire damage from the Santa Ana winds in SoCal.  It’s amazing that a small spark can consume so much when aided by the wind.  I believe my life, and your life, can do the same.  Only, we’re not talking damage, we’re talking consuming influence (aided by the wind of the Holy Spirit).

My faith foundation thought today: discipline.  I hope I can fan into flame a life of self-discipline.  I don’t want to live by lists; but I do desire to accomplish the things He desires for me to do.  Rather than jumping from project to project, I am learning (which means please give me time to perfect this) to start and finish a project (even in the same setting). My hope is to be disciplined in my study, in my prayer life, in my waiting on God.  I want to live with bold self-discipline as Paul urged his son in the faith, Timothy.

Grace,
Brian