Introducing: SHIFT Student Ministry

We are challenging students, parents, and families to Shift their faith into the next gear and we want everyone to know about it! We will be talking about the new "look" and "feel" of the Student Ministry at SBC North on Sat/Sun Jan 3, 4! New year - new start!
Here is a sneak peek - spread the WORD!

Shift Student Ministry is building a generation of students who passionately LIVE for Jesus in a way that influences others, who GIVE of themselves and GROW in Christ’s love.

Psalm 24:6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

What does SHIFT mean?

It means SHIFTing your Focus, it means SHIFTing your heart's desire to be like His.

It's about a generation of students who SHIFT the direction of the culture back to God.

It's about you and your friends.

SHIFT is about taking the next step for God in your life. It's about shaking things up for Him.

It's about asking God to do something we're unsure he can do - something HUGE!

It's Something you LIVE not something you say.

Please join me in prayer as we expect God to do something bigger and greater than we could even ask, think, or imagine this Spring and into the future!

Shift Student Ministry

SBC North

Leaders - the main ingredient for ministry

Around SBC North I am asking all our leaders to SHIFT into "Leader Acquision Mode"

What does that mean?

• it means we are asking God to use US to double our leadership core by the summer.
• it means Leaders are the main ingredient for a thriving ministry to students!
• it means we love our current leaders enough to equip them to minister and lead others to do so.
• it means we are on the lookout for those who Love God, Love the Church, attend the church, but do not serve faithfully.
• it means I'm asking our leaders to A.C.T.

A - Attract Volunteers: Through relationship and vision-casting (get them to visit the Student Ministry with you to see "What God is doing")

C - Connect them to ministry: help potential leaders to connect with the student ministry where they are spiritually gifted and spiritually passionate to serve.

T - Training them to minister: invite them to our monthly training meetings where they can catch the heartbeat of the ministry, join the team, and learn how to better serve students!

Leaders: out next Leadership meeting is January 11 / 12:30pm. We love you guys and cherish you as a vital minister on this team.

For His Glory,

the White spaces of Life

Not too long ago Brett Davis, SBC West Campus Student Ministry Team member, spoke on the in between times of live and how to focus on God in life. I love our brothers on the West campus and think this is a great messge for this in-between time from Christmas to New Years.

here is the link to the podcast: http//www.second.org/west/west_high.aspx

Missing the manger - part 3

Joseph.

Now here is one guys who really could have missed the manger becasue it did not fit into "His" plan that year! This year as I reflected on the Christmas story and took a little longer look at the manger I couldn't help but see Joseph as a standout.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Fiance comes up pregnant, you decided to divorce her quietly, an Angel tells you to take her as you wife instead, (none of which were on your "to do" list for the season), and then when it is all said and done - you OBEY!

Joseph obeyed...
Immediately: He did what the Lord asked him to do right then. Concern, maybe. Fear, probably. Doubt, for sure. Hesitation to trust and obey -none! Interesting.

Consistently: not only did he make a decision forthe then and now, but he made one that would be something he followed up on throughout his entire life.

I would like to be more like Joseph.

Missing the manger - part 2

Luke 2:10 - The Shepherds
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Over the last few days I've been trying to walk the fields with the Shepherds who lived near a town called Bethlahem and heard about Jesus that starry night. One thing I could not escape is how God's message just BURST into their lives. Into their ordinary, routine lives.

I realized - it gives great HOPE for us who may have decided that tomorrow will not be different than today. God does that - He BURST in!

Here's the idea: This year Christmas can happen to you!

What was the Message to these ordinary Joe Shepherds like you and me?
3 PHRASES

Good News - this is the core of Christmas. It's good news that Christ came and burst into our lives to change us for eternity. I just love hearing good news, what about you? God loves sharing it!

Great Joy - When I think of Great joyous words I think of are "Excited", "Impressed", Enthusiasm", "Passion." And this "Great Joy" is not Just for you - it's something God wants to do in you! It's Personal. Christmas involves you. Christ involved you at Christmas.

All people - This means this news and joy is not limited in circulation. It's for YOU! This Year. FOR me. It's for Shepherds, Kings, the common, the rich, the wise, the regular, the struggling, the effective, the young, the old, the impressive, the shy, the lovely, the down and out. I love that!

A question I have asked myself:

Are you experienceding that good news right now in your life?

Despite any bad news that may exist in your life?Don't let those circumstances erase the good news - the greatest news!

The angel called it Good news, but it's really greater than any other news around. It's what will last - it's what Christmas is all about!


managing not to miss the manger,
Brian

An Early Christmas Present

Like I said - I love good news! Well, the Lord sent the Harris family some good news in the form of a sold Austin home this morning. Our house in Austin will not be ours for long - We pray for the new family, that it will be ahome that honors God, is full of love, and nourishes family. I just love it when I can brag on the Lord for an answered prayer!

tis the Season,
Brian

Missing the manger - Part 1

Missing the manger:

This Christmas I have reallybeen doing some things to keep me from personally missing the manger for the busyness of Christmas. It's easy to do and even easier to have not realized it. I've been writing in my journal some observations (of self and others), and have noticed that most people respond the the manger during this time of year in two ways:

1. They speed past it - they're too busy and they "miss the manger" and miss the Christ of Christmas.

2. They intentionally stop to see Christ, and are pulled in by His majesty.

Today I pray that I will take time to seek Christ, see Christ, and serve Christ as I celebrate His birth.

All Praises to the newborn King!