by Catrina LeSure
I hate my hair!!! It's kinky and curly and painful to comb and I hate it! That's why people seldom see my hair. I've covered it with weave, wigs, head wraps, hats...you name it. And don't get me wrong, I have tried to fix my hair. I've tried relaxers, extensions, and expensive conditioners to get some kind of compliance but they all fall short. Over the years, my head has become a source of great vulnerability for me. I hide it because in truth my head has become my heart in many ways. To be so fully exposed is something I fear.
Now guys, I know I lost you for a minute there with the whole hair drama but let me say this. We all have our own hair drama. Each of us has that place that we feel exposed. We worry about people seeing the real us and not liking what they see. It may be insecurity about height or weight, concerns how your friends would view your political views, or and inferiority complex when it comes to education. But we all have things, big or small, that give us pause to reveal to others.
I have great news! If people saw the real you...they really wouldn't like what they saw. I know that may sound upsetting or judgmental but it's actually good news. We are all a mess, some of us just cover it up better than others. But our true selves are sinful, ugly people, capable of things we wouldn't dare admit to. We all need something or Someone to change our minds.
Enter the ultimate Helmet against the evil ideas Satan would implant. While head wraps and hats can cover up what's inside, the helmet of salvation goes even further to change us from the inside out. Jesus' sacrifice not only saves us but changes us more and more into the people that He wants us to be. That's a big deal because it's something we can never do on our own. No matter how hard we try, we cannot remove the evil that has consumed us. We are powerless against Satan. But Jesus died to set us free from the power of sin and death.
The brain is sensitive body part and it is fully exposed in battle without the right helmet. The free salvation offered to us through Jesus fits each of us and protects us from the evil thoughts Satan would send in our direction. We are safe from the spirit of hopelessness, selfishness, and fear that Satan would send as fiery arrows in our direction. Instead we are covered with Christ's peace, power, and love. I think that's a style that looks good on all of us.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
Shield of Faith
by Catrina LeSure
If you could have one super power, what would it be? If you are in youth ministry and never heard that question, you haven't been in youth ministry long enough. We are fascinated by the ability to do more or be more than average. As youth leaders, we are constantly honing our super powers. We are figuring out the incredible efficiency of the multi-task, the impressive impact of the narrative sermon, and the unbelievable importance of the lock-in sleep with eyes open.
But the fact is that these are more super honed skills than super powers. And truth be told I have often asked myself what power I would choose if I had a super power. Super speed is tempting when I find myself impatient with God's timing and wishing to get through all the tasks on my to-do list. But then I remember that I would be faster but God would still go in His time and that kind of kills that dream. I consider the possibility of super strength and imagine myself "Hulking out" against the injustices of this world...until I remember that hulk smash only makes a bigger mess. In truth, I have never been excited about some super powers like flight, telekinesis, or mind reading. I don't know why, but I feel like there isn't much I could do with those. But there is one super power that I seem to go back to every time. I would love to have the force field power like Violet Parr in the Incredibles. To be able to protect myself and those closest to me from the pain of this life would be a real win for me. Alas, my ability to create shelter of any kind is limited to blanket forts and pop-up tents.
The funny things is, God has given all of us access to a wide range of super powers. He gives them to us free of charge and only requires one thing of us to get them. We must have faith to access these super powers. The Bible is full of messages on the importance of faith. Hebrews 11 stands as a Hall of Faith chronicling some of the amazing people in history who's faith helped change the world. Jesus repeatedly admonishes his disciples to have faith. And he doesn't even ask us to have that much, just a mustard seed worth. Imagine having something 1 mm in diameter that had the ability to call down fire from heaven, turn back time, destroy a mighty giant, or part the Red Sea. It wouldn't be a question of what you could do. The more accurate question would be: What can't you do? World hunger, terrorism, and political corruption would be vanquished before dinner.
So how do we get this faith. How do we acquire, even such a tiny amount of, this profound world changing power connection? This is easier said than done.
1. Believe: Hebrews 11:6
2. Pray: Mark 9:29
3. Act: Luke 17:11-19
4. Repeat
It seems simple but it takes a lot of searching and submitting to have faith. It's a challenge that may leave you feeling drained, frustrated, or disappointed. But it is worth it every time. Because more than any material thing God does as a result of your faith, you will find yourself super connected to the God of the universe. There isn't a better super power than that.
If you could have one super power, what would it be? If you are in youth ministry and never heard that question, you haven't been in youth ministry long enough. We are fascinated by the ability to do more or be more than average. As youth leaders, we are constantly honing our super powers. We are figuring out the incredible efficiency of the multi-task, the impressive impact of the narrative sermon, and the unbelievable importance of the lock-in sleep with eyes open.
But the fact is that these are more super honed skills than super powers. And truth be told I have often asked myself what power I would choose if I had a super power. Super speed is tempting when I find myself impatient with God's timing and wishing to get through all the tasks on my to-do list. But then I remember that I would be faster but God would still go in His time and that kind of kills that dream. I consider the possibility of super strength and imagine myself "Hulking out" against the injustices of this world...until I remember that hulk smash only makes a bigger mess. In truth, I have never been excited about some super powers like flight, telekinesis, or mind reading. I don't know why, but I feel like there isn't much I could do with those. But there is one super power that I seem to go back to every time. I would love to have the force field power like Violet Parr in the Incredibles. To be able to protect myself and those closest to me from the pain of this life would be a real win for me. Alas, my ability to create shelter of any kind is limited to blanket forts and pop-up tents.
The funny things is, God has given all of us access to a wide range of super powers. He gives them to us free of charge and only requires one thing of us to get them. We must have faith to access these super powers. The Bible is full of messages on the importance of faith. Hebrews 11 stands as a Hall of Faith chronicling some of the amazing people in history who's faith helped change the world. Jesus repeatedly admonishes his disciples to have faith. And he doesn't even ask us to have that much, just a mustard seed worth. Imagine having something 1 mm in diameter that had the ability to call down fire from heaven, turn back time, destroy a mighty giant, or part the Red Sea. It wouldn't be a question of what you could do. The more accurate question would be: What can't you do? World hunger, terrorism, and political corruption would be vanquished before dinner.
So how do we get this faith. How do we acquire, even such a tiny amount of, this profound world changing power connection? This is easier said than done.
1. Believe: Hebrews 11:6
2. Pray: Mark 9:29
3. Act: Luke 17:11-19
4. Repeat
It seems simple but it takes a lot of searching and submitting to have faith. It's a challenge that may leave you feeling drained, frustrated, or disappointed. But it is worth it every time. Because more than any material thing God does as a result of your faith, you will find yourself super connected to the God of the universe. There isn't a better super power than that.
Monday, February 1, 2016
How Strong is Your Shoe Game
by Darnisha Thomas
Growing up in the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia), fashion sense was learned at a young age. Color coordination was key, from head to toe. Pants could not reach a certain length above the ankles or else you would be picked on for wearing “high water pants.” Name brand clothing would give you an abundance of respect, from Apple Bottoms to Baby Phat and even Fubu. As of now, those brands are played out, of all the outfits and accessories, there is one accessory that was and is still important, to this very day., The shoe game. One must always make sure that their shoe game is strong. Their shoes must go along with the latest trends. If they don’t, chances are you might be asked the most important question of all time, “WHAT ARE THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE????!!!!!” You don’t want anybody to ask you this question, at all.
From reading Ephesians 6:15, we are to wear shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace. What is the big deal about shoes during Paul’s time? A soldier would wear shoes to protect their feet from debris such as pebbles and sticks while fighting. Imagine a soldier fighting in the heat of battle, with no shoes who suddenly steps on a sharp item and falls. That soldier would be in a deadly situation. Which is why it was important for Paul to mention the simplest, yet most important accessory as a part of the full armor of God. The beauty of shoes is that we can walk anywhere around the world without having to worry about getting splinters in our feet or exposing them to bacterial infections. What God wants us to know from this verse is that He wants us to be ready to move when He tells us to move to spread the good news of His Son, Jesus Christ. By binding our shoes with Jesus we will be prepared to walk in the most intense areas of life.
Do you want to be ready to go out for battle? Nike tells us to “Just Do it!” Are you uncertain if your “shoe game” in Christ would protect your vulnerable feet in the hardest times of your life? Adidas reminds us that “Impossible is Nothing.” Will you take on the task of being an effective gladiator for God in this generation? Jordan tells us to “Become Legendary.,”. It’s time for us to step our shoe game and lace up the peace that surpasses all understanding as the result of the power of the Gospel of Jesus and get out and FIGHT!
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