Monda, April 27th, 2009 "What's In a Name?"

FUSION Devo: Monday, April 27^th, 2009
Title: What’s In a Name?
Text: Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

What’s in a name? Have you ever thought about your name? Do you like it? Does it seem to fit you and your personality? A name is a funny thing and something that will follow you your entire life. I have thought of my name a lot over the years. “Steve” is a decent name. I’m not saying that I dislike it, but I’m not convinced that it is a name that really wows you when you hear it. It rolls off the tongue pretty easily, but it really doesn’t pack a punch. I can remember thinking how cool the name “Rocky” or even adding a little Spanish twist to it, like “Estaban”. Now that’s a cool name for a pasty-white guy who looks like he grew up in Ireland.

Now there have been some great names throughout history and there have certainly been some, well let’s just call them, unusual names. We’ve all heard the names like John, Brian, Jim, Chris and so on. Girl’s names like Sally, Kim, Kathy, and the list could go on for days. And those are all definitely fine names, but then I think of some of those names that when you hear just sticks with you. I have a few friends who have great names. Names that you may have not heard of before and definitely names that kind of burn themselves into your brain. 2 people at the church I am the youth pastor at are “Fleeta” and “Jenner”. Aren’t those cool names? Again, nothing wrong with other names, but they are just unusual enough to stick with you. I’ve got a friend who is a youth pastor in California and his name is “Rush”. Now that is a cool name. And he can pull it off. His name totally fits him and his persona. He’s an edgy, cool, laid-back, surfer-type youth pastor who is extremely artistic. I could go on about many others, but those are just a few names that have really jumped out at me.

Think about it. A name really does say something about you and maybe even your family. And I can certainly say that we all feel it is important to try to uphold the honor of our names. We should all also understand that when we do something to tarnish that family name, if can often be a long, hard road back from the point of disappointment. And sometimes our actions can negatively impact a name so much that it may never recover and always bring with it a negative reaction or thought. Names like Hitler, Manson and Judas are some of the most infamous names a person could say. Mainly because of the actions of the men who carried those names.

Well, those of us that consider ourselves Christ-Followers have allowed ourselves to be given a name as well. It is a name that is added onto our given names and speaks volumes about who we are, or at least who we claim to be. That name is “Christian”. Dictionary.com defines this name as anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and is a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teaching of Christ. Basically when we take on this the name of Christian we are acknowledging that we are believers and followers of Jesus Christ and asked for Jesus to forgive us of our sins, be our personal Lord and Savior and we will strive to follow the example set by Jesus. I would certainly say that there is definitely some power in that name and it also brings with it a high responsibility to be a person who brings honor on Christ.

I have seen people connected with the church, including myself, wearing all of the Christian gear, having the fish on the back of the car, wearing the cross around our necks, and so on. But then we allow ourselves to slide outside of that name and take on other characteristics that are not usually present in the lives of a Christian. We may not speak with love and compassion the way that Christ calls his followers to do. Maybe we participate in worldly activities such as improper relationships, partying, drinking and doing drugs. We may slide away from the much needed fellowship with other believers and before we know it, we are nowhere near the solid path that God would rather us journey on, and we find ourselves sinking deeper into the trappings of a dark world. And in the midst of this, all the while we wave the banner and continue to proclaim that are “Christians”. Then the world that has been watching us thinks to itself, “Why would I ever be associated with something like that? They’re no different than I am.” And we wonder why the word “Hypocrite” is used so often when the world refers to us.

If we are authentic followers of Christ, we should all quickly understand that our actions, behavior and words scream load and clear who we truly are and impacts that name of Jesus Christ. It is a name that should not be taken on lightly. It is a name that we should be proud and honored to carry. It is a name that if represented properly can bring such love, mercy, compassion, blessing and even has the ability to help others realize an eternal life in paradise with our Creator. But if the name “Christian” is not cared for and used appropriately can do more harm than we ever thought possible.

So next time you wonder what’s really in name, please remember that a name says far more than we realize and has the ability to help or harm. The choice is up to us.

Something to Think About:

· In what ways do you think you negatively represent the name “Christian”?

· In what ways do you think you positively represent the name “Christian”?

· Do you proudly carry that name or are you sometimes scared to show it off and maybe you even hide so others don’t notice?

· What can you do to better represent the name “Christian”?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I thank you for the privilege to be called your follower. Help me to strive to represent the name of Christ in a way that will positively impact the people I encounter and shine brightly in a world that is need of seeing love, compassion and mercy and remove the image of hypocrisy. Amen.

Friday, April 24th, 2009 "My Fav 5"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Friday, April 24^th, 2009
Title: My Fav 5
Text: Psalm 138:2 (NIV)
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.

Recently on Facebook, there has been this pretty cool thing bouncing around. It gives each person a chance to list 5 certain things about themselves. It is really kind of silly, but it is also cool to go to the pages of some of my Facebook friends and see what they are listing. The categories are wide open, and you can even make up your own. Some of my favorites are, “5 Cars I’ve Owed” “My 5 Favorite Childhood Candies” “5 Favorite Vacation Spots” and “5 Favorite Sports Teams”. There are tons of these things. And I have enjoyed thinking back on some of those items I haven’t thought about in years.

I have often wondered where God would fall in my Favorite 5. Where would God fall in your Favorite 5? Would God even be in my Favorite 5? At first glance I think it would be very easy to just say “yes” to that question. But don’t be so quick to fill out your ballot. Just ponder that question for a few minutes. Sometimes I would say that it would be very easy to consider God one of my Favorites. But then there have been other instances in my life where God has just kind of messed things up for me. Do you understand what I’m talking about? Being an authentic follower of the Creator of the Universe is not always an easy task. And I guess it shouldn’t be. Wouldn’t it be a whole lot easier to not have to worry about following God’s will for your life? Wouldn’t it be less stressful to not have the burden of knowing that we are called to be ambassadors for God in a world that doesn’t always want to hear what God truly has to say? What about the time we spend in prayer, in study, in worship, in service? I mean, most of already have full plates and schedules that cause us to wish for more time or begin to pull our hair out. Then you lump in the tug on our hearts and souls to give up personal time to serve in a soup kitchen, volunteer at the Salvation Army or go on some crazy mission trip to Africa. Following God and doing the things that God has called us to do is not always easy and is certainly not always fun. But it is our call.

This past weekend I was speaking at a youth event near Charlotte, NC. I was really looking forward to this weekend manly because I knew I’d have the chance to catch up with some other youth pastor friends and see how life was going for them. My friend Bill was there. Bill has been a longtime youth worker and is doing incredible things for the youth at his church in High Point, NC. I had also known, mainly because I had been stalking him on Facebook, that Bill had recently taken a trip to Kenya. I would read his status updates and I could tell that he had a great experience. So when I found myself and Bill walking by ourselves I took the chance to inquire about his trip. I had expected the traditional response of, “Oh! It was an amazing trip. The work was wonderful. My heart was blessed. I hope to return one day.” But, that was not the reaction I got at all. Bill turned and looked me square in the eye and simply said, “Steve, God ruined my life.” I was stunned at first because I wasn’t quite sure where he was going with this. And I also noticed that the look in his eye was not one of dread or regret, but was one of astonishment and blessing.

Bill went on to share almost every detail on this 2 week journey to Kenya. He spoke of the clinic he served in and the children he played soccer with. He spoke of the orphanage that we spent time at and the families he met. And he spoke of the fact that he has been blessed with so much and yet the people who he walked with and talked with and served during those 14 days were filled with such passion for God, such appreciation for God’s grace and so thankful for what they did have, even if they had no clue where their next meal would come from, how to put clothing on their backs or where they could possibly lay their heads that night. And now, even months after his return from Kenya, Bill is wrecked with the understanding that God has called him to do more. The fact is that God has called all of us to do more. And when that realization finally strikes us, it is something life-altering and can truly wreck your life. You begin to put aside your dreams to embrace Gods.

I can’t help but think that it is easy to sit back and view God almost as a big, fluffy, teddy bear that is always smiling and singing melodic songs to his creation when we are not fully understanding that to those who have been given much, much is required. It is easy to just keep our heads down, throw some money in the plate and wait for someone else to get their hands dirty and their lives ruined by God’s call. Following God could lead to a change in plans, moving somewhere or studying something that you have never thought of before. It could mean living a life with a little less financial security or retirement benefits. It could mean leaving a great job to spend the rest of your life pastoring a bunch of wild and crazy teenagers and dragging your family all over the map, or maybe even finding yourself in a clinic in the Congo. Who knows?

Well, I do know that a wrecked life for God is far better than a plush life for the world. Being uncomfortable as I experience the need that some many in this world experience every day, so I can have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of the Famous One is far better than a penthouse on 5^th Avenue in New York City. And the scary thing is that when we are truly willing to follow God with a reckless abandon, there is no telling how God might change our lives. But it is awesome to see what it is when it is revealed.

So, is God in your Fav 5? He sure is in mine.

Something to Think About:

· Did it ever occur to you that God could wreck your life?

· What plans have you made for your life?

· Are you willing to put those plans aside to follow God’s call on your life? If so, are your really ready?

· Maybe God has already started wrecking your life? If so, in what ways?

· How do you see God using you in ways that you may have not thought of before?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I think I am finally beginning to understand that a life in you in not always easy. Help me to embrace that and not fall victim to the laziness of this world. Help me to be your change agent in this world. Help me to become your hands and your feet. Help me to do what needs to be done and to use what you have blessed me with to impact a world that is in such need. Even if it means my life being wrecked for you. Make me uncomfortable. Make be passionate. Help me to be a difference maker. In your name. Amen.

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 "What Are You Doing?"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, April 22^nd, 2009

Title: What Are You Doing?
Text: James 2:15-17 (NIV)

¹⁵Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Have you heard of Twitter? Most people have heard of it by now. Twitter is a social networking site much like Facebook or MySpace and is certainly one that is taking the world by storm as it adds thousands of new members everyday. Now, I’ve been on Facebook for years and love it, but for some reason, all these people talking about Twitter peaked my interest and I finally decided to go and check it out.

On the homepage of the Twitter website there is a short and cute little video that gives the viewer a glimpse into the world of Twitter and what it is all about. The video was entitled “What Are You Doing?” It started off by saying that is one of the most common questions people ask one another when they communicate with each other. It is a simple question that usually gives us a chance to give a quick answer about what is going on in our lives, something we are currently involved in or passionate about. And every once in a while we may even reply with a “Nothing Much.” Well, this is the premise that Twitter uses to encourage people to become members of the community and follow the activities of others. And even give other people the opportunity to follow you and see what is taking place in your life. In some ways it is pretty cool, but in others it can bring with it some pressure. I mean, what if you aren’t doing anything? Is that what you put out there? “Excuse me world, I’m a slacker and doing absolutely nothing.”

Well, after I watched the video, the question of “What are you doing?” continued to run through my head. Over and over again I could hear it ringing in my thoughts and as I laid in the bed, trying to fall asleep, I began to examine exactly what I am doing. Now I’m not talking about what I am doing at that moment or for a living, or in the morning or next week. But what am I doing to reach the lost for Christ? What am I doing to impact this world for the Kingdom of God? What am I doing to meet the needs of those who have far less than I do? What am I doing?

I am so blessed in so many ways. I have the greatest job in the world pastoring the most amazing youth in the world. I have the opportunity and blessing to travel and share the good news of Jesus Christ with thousands of people a year. I have a beautiful and supportive Christian wife and remarkable children, who at this stage of their lives actually seem to like me and not think I’m a moron. I have great house, food in my belly, a gym membership, a car that currently runs, outstanding and true friends, an education and more. I could go on for hours about the blessings in my life. But, what am I really doing to pay back and make a real difference in the lives of others? Sure, I know I am doing things. I even know that I have been humbled by the fact that God has used a guy like me to do work for him. But is it enough? And over and over I keep coming up with the same answer. I can never do enough to fully show my gratitude and reach retirement from serving my Lord and Savior, and I never want to feel like I have done enough. And even the smallest of things that authentic Christ-Followers do to help others and spread the message of the gift of God’s grace and unconditional love is a step in the right direction and towards embracing the call on our lives.

Whether it is praying for others, providing random acts of kindness, serving at a local agency that meets the needs of others, going on a mission trip, playing BINGO at an assisted living facility, holding the door for a person who’s arms are full, putting together packs of personal supplies for area homeless or anything else that served others, it is doing something. And that is a whole lot better than doing nothing.

So what are you doing? Are you giving your all to do the things that God needs of you? Are you reaching out to the lost, meeting the needs of the less fortunate and loving your neighbor as yourself? Or are you exclaiming loud and clear to those who inquire that you are doing absolutely nothing? Well, what’s your answer?

Something to Think About:

• What are you doing? For God that is.
• Are you doing enough?
• When was the last time you really did something that you feel made a difference for the Kingdom?
• What else can you do?
• What are you passionate about? How can God use that passion to do God’s work?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, what am I doing? Am I doing enough? Probably not. How can I ever do enough? I pray that I never get to the point that I feel like I have. Help me to passionately burn for you and reach out to the lost, meet the needs of those in need, step out of my comfort zone and do something extraordinary for you and your kingdom. Thank you for using people like me to serve others. I pray for your guidance as I follow after you and do your work. I AM going to do something. Amen.

Monday, April 20th, 2009 "What Would You Say?"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Monday, April 20^th, 2009

Title: What Would You Say?

Text: Matthew 5:10 (NIV)

¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Sunday night after I returned from a youth event I entered my house and found my mom upstairs in the living room watching TV. My wife, Kim, had to run out of town and my mom had volunteered to come over and watch our children while I was at work. I noticed that she was watching the Ms. USA pageant and it was getting toward the end of the competition. Now, being raised by a single mom, who use to compete in pageants as young woman, this was a common occurrence in our household and certainly not the first beauty pageant I’ve watched.

Something that made this pageant more intriguing was the fact that Ms. North Carolina was one of the 5 semifinalists, so I just sat back to see if she would win. One of the last competitions these stunning and very articulate young ladies had to endure was none other than the “Interview” portion where they are asked a question and must, on the fly, give their answer with out any preparation. Ms. California’s turn arrived and she gracefully approached her mark, where she received her question. This was not just any question. It was a question that was sure to bring a response that would certainly cause eyebrows to rise. The question was whether or not she thought that other states should follow the example of Vermont in allowing “Same-Sex Marriages”. Without hesitation, the beautiful young woman, who was a college junior at San Diego Christian College, looked out to the audience and confidently announced that while she thought it was wonderful that in our country people have the right to make choices, but that it was her belief that marriage should be looked upon in the traditional view as belonging to that of a man and a woman. At the time of her answer she was thought to have been in the lead to be crowned Ms. USA. After her answer some people cheered and other jeered as she made her way to the waiting area.

A few minutes later, when the winner was announced, Ms. California finished in 2^nd place to the winner, Ms. North Carolina. And almost immediately the buzz began. This was not a buzz over the excited and emotional winner of the pageant, but one that centered on the fact that Ms. California may not have given the answer many thought she should have, and it cost her The Crown.

Now, whether or not you agree with her answer, it was her answer. Was it wrong for her to give a genuine answer that was true to herself and more importantly, her beliefs? She stood firm in what she believed and was fearless in the face of what I’m sure she realized would certainly become a fierce battle in the court of public opinion. She embraced her relationship with Christ and didn’t fold under the pressure of being the person God called her to be or the person the world thought she should be. Afterward she acknowledged that the answer probably cost her the realization of achieving her life-long dream, but followed that up with continuing to stand firm in her faith and say that if she had to do it over again, she would not change her answer.

I am amazed and inspired that this young lady who authentically stood strong in her Christian beliefs. For so many of us who face daily crossroads in our faith, we tend to fold under the pressure of much simpler questions, comments and decisions. We worry about whether people will like us, exclude us, think there is something wrong with us, and not want to be our friends any more. And instead of standing up in our relationship with Jesus Christ and acknowledging what our faith and beliefs are, we often take a road that will not cause us be persecuted for our faith.

What is wrong with us that we have to attack someone who is simply answering a question truthfully? What is wrong with us when we are more willing to stand with the world instead of standing beside the one who laid his life down for us? And usually our questions don’t even come while standing on a stage in front of thousands of people and millions watching on television. But I do know that Ms. California has made an impact on my life, the kingdom and I hope inspired other Christians to give a response that is true to who they are in their beliefs and not one that will keep them out of the line of fire from a world who will take every opportunity to persecute them for their faith.

So, what would you say?

Something to Think About:

• Have you ever been questioned about your faith? What was the question or circumstance?
• How did you respond? Be truthful.
• How did people respond to what you had to say?
• How can you prepare for situations like this?
• How can you help others stand firm in their faith and give a response that is true to their faith?
• What would you say if you were questioned right now?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I need you strength and your presence to fill me heart, mind and soul. Help me to embrace my relationship with you in all situations and circumstances. Help me to find my strength and satisfaction in my relationship with you and not in whether or not the world is going to love and accept me, because I know you love and accept me. I pray that when I am asked, I will honor you and shine brightly. Amen.

Friday, April 17th, 2009 "WOW!"

FUSION Devo: Friday, April 17^th, 2009
Title: WOW!
Text: Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Have you ever been to a concert or major sporting event? And as soon as you found out that you were going you began to feel this spark of anticipation kindling inside of you? You know what I’m talking. You begin to get so excited about the event and you start imagining how amazing and awesome the event is going to be. And day by day, as the event gets closer and closer your excitement grows more and more. Almost to point that you just get giddy with excitement every time you think about it because you just know in your heart that what is going to take place is even better than the images you have conjured up in your mind. I have been that situation before.

It was December 1988 and my best friend and I were on our way to our very first concert. Well, maybe it wasn’t my first concert, but I’m not going to count being dragged by my mom to a Kenny Rogers concert when I was 15 as real concert experience. For weeks my buddy Kristian and I had been over the top excited about this concert. We were on our way to see the hottest rock band of that time, Def Leopard, in the old Charlotte Coliseum, and we almost could not contain ourselves. Finally the day arrived and as we drove down Independence Blvd in Charlotte, and we caught a glimpse of the large silver dome, knowing that we were about to have our faces rocked off, the conversation inside my blue 1979 Chevy Chevette stopped. We were too excited to speak. Then as we entered the coliseum and found our seats I could almost feel my heart pounding outside of my chest. And I know I had the craziest smile on my face. I know this because the very nice stranger sitting beside told me so.

We just knew that it was going to be far more than a rock concert. We knew that it would be an experience that we would carry with us for the rest of our lives. Even now as I describe this event to you I get goose bumps and feel my heart beat a little quicker. We sat in eager anticipation of what would take place in that arena. And you know what? It was a remarkable night. The environment was electrifying, the music was deafening and the concert was totally amazing. And I can’t help but think that our attitude and mentality as we prepared to enter that environment helped make it more than a night of music being played, but instead a impactful night that has been burned into my brain. And all of this for a rock band.

But something confuses me about this type of experience. Why is it that we can become over-the-top excited about going to see our favorite band play live in concert, or watch our favorite team compete, but when it comes to having the opportunity to stand in the presence of God and worship God, we sometimes act as if we are bored or in some cases would rather be receiving a root canal? Think about this. God is the true “Famous One” who has created the heavens and the earth. God breathed life into creation, molded you and I in the palm of his hand, and even though God is the master of the universe, is all, knows all and is everywhere, still makes time to be personally involved in our individual lives and passionately in love with us. God knows you. Last time I checked, I feel pretty sure that Def Leopard, Coach K and David Crowder have no clue who “Steve Keaton” is. But God knows everything about me and you.

So why don’t we enter the presence of God with the excitement and with the eager anticipation that God is not only going to show up but blow our minds when he does? I can’t help but think that my concert experience when I was 18 years old we so amazing because I eagerly anticipated it to be amazing. I’m sure if I would have gone in with an “I’d rather be somewhere else” attitude I would have not had near the experience I did. And I know the same occurs when we don’t prepare our hearts, minds and souls for worshipping God. And when we do prepare ourselves what we will then experience will transcend our greatest expectations. Why? Because God is God!

Our worship of God is not all about us. I know that is hard to believe and our culture has taken on this attitude that worship is about us being fed, filled and entertained. But the fact is that worship is our time to thank God for all that God has done for us and show how much we appreciate the many blessings that have been given to us. However, when enter his gates with thanksgiving and are willing to praise God for all we have, our hearts can’t help but prepare us to be blessed and amazed as we stand in the presence of the Almighty.

Next time you enter a worship setting, I challenge you to take the time to pray for God to fill you with the Spirit and open you heart, mind and soul, and approach God with eager anticipation of what can and will take place. Then you will have the opportunity to experience something life-changing.

Something to Think About:

• What is your attitude when you go to worship?
• What are your expectations when you go to worship God?
• How can you better prepare yourself to experience the presence of God?
• Your attitude is contagious. How does your attitude affect those around you in a worship setting?
• How can God use you more to positively impact the worship environment?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I pray that I will begin to understand exactly what worship is all about. I pray that I will truly understand that worship is about us showing and expressing our love and appreciate for all you have done for us, instead of entering the setting with of attitude of needing to be entertained. I know if I open my heart and mind that you will show up in a mighty way and truly amaze me. And through that experience I will grow in my understanding of how I can impact this world for you. Amen.

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 "Excuses, Excuses"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, April 15^th, 2009

Title: Excuses, Excuses

Text: Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

I can do all everything through him who gives me strength.

Wow! Have we become a society of excuse makers or what? It seems like we can come up with an excuse for just about anything. We’ve all heard the “The dog ate my homework excuse” haven’t we? When I was a cop in Charlotte I sure did hear some wild ones from some of the guys that I would arrest. Whether it was the guy who drove his car through the front of a closed store to make change in the cash register so that his daughter wouldn’t have to take a $5 bill to school to pay for lunch the next day, or the guy who I ticketed for driving 65 in a 35 mile per hour zone because his shoelace got caught on the accelerator, even though he was wearing slip-on shoes. The list could go on forever.

Even in our day-to-day lives we tend to sometimes work harder to come up with a high-quality excuse than simply give the effort to accomplish what we need to do. It could be getting out of work, why not to do our homework, find some reason to not have to cut the grass and so on. Sometimes it could just be laziness I guess. Believe me, I can often identify with this. I am not the biggest fan of doing the yard work, and will usually daydream about excuses I could come up with to get out of it. But when it comes down to it, it is still my responsibility. Then when I get out in the yard and get the grass cut, the driveway edged and the weeds ate, I usually feel a sense of accomplishment and I’m glad I did the work that needed to be done.

Unfortunately excuses seem to be a common occurrence when it comes to our faith as well. Have you heard the old adage, “In the church 20% of the people do 80% of the work.”? That’s probably because it often seems like the other 80% of the people are sitting on their big “Buts”. You know what I mean. “I’d love to be a part of that committee, BUT I just don’t have the time. Oh, I would be glad to teach that Sunday School class, BUT I don’t really feel comfortable talking in front of people.” The BUTS go on forever. Excuses sometimes flow like the thousands of gallons of rolling whitewater over Niagara Falls. We have all said them in some form or fashion. “I’m too old. I’m too young. I’m too tired. I’m too busy. It could be dangerous. I don’t know enough about the Bible. I’m not cool enough. I’m too cool for that. It is too far away. My friends aren’t going. I’m afraid they will not like me. I don’t want people to think I’m a freak. It is not fun enough.” I’m sure we can add a couple of hundred more. Excuses have just become a part of lives. And we seem to have no problem coming up with an excuse to not be the people God has formed us to be. But if we would do those things, the sense of accomplishment and purpose would truly help us to know that this is the life we are supposed to be experiencing.

You see we are all created by the architect of the universe. The same one who placed the stars in the sky, lined up the planets and started them in motion and carved the Grand Canyon is the same one that formed us on the divine potter’s wheel. We have all been formed to be the reflection of Christ in this world, and that means it is our responsibility to put aside our excuses and do whatever God needs us to do whenever God needs us to do it. Whether it is serving on mission team or being a part of regular fellowship of other believers. It could be sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with someone else or standing up for a person who is being treated unjustly. There is just no excuse good enough for not doing what we should do. It is our calling to do all of these things and more. And if we would drop the excuses and draw closer to God we would begin to find strength in the fact that we can do all things through the strength of Jesus Christ that flows through our veins, fills our lungs and brings coherent thought to our brains. Hear me again; nothing is impossible when God is in the mix. If God calls us, God will give us all the things we need to accomplish the task we face. Even it that task means stepping out if our comfort zone and doing something a little wild and crazy for Christ. Isn’t that the example that Jesus set for us? Didn’t he dance with danger, step on toes and cause a buzz everywhere he went? I bet that Jesus, if he had the chance, would have even done a cannonball on the shallow end of the pool. And never did an excuse form in his brain or cross his lips.

I think it is time to put the excuses aside. Let’s step to the edge and face the opportunities that lye in front of us and jump headfirst into the life that God has planned for us. And then and only then will be begin to feel the strength that God promises those who authentically and passionate follow.

Something to Think About:

• What are the things that you usually come up with excuses to get out of?
• What areas of your faith do you most make excuses to get out of? Sharing your faith? Being a part of fellowship with other Christ-Followers? Spending time in prayer & study?
• What are the real reasons for making excuses in those areas?
• What does the knowing that you can do all things through the strength of Christ mean to you?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, please move in my life and help me to stop making excuses and start making a difference for you in this world. Help me to push out of my comfort zone and embrace the fact that you have called me to do amazing and sometimes even wild and crazy things for you. I pray that I will no longer make excuses to get out of doing what I know I need to do as a follower of you. I am yours and I want to do whatever you need me to do, whenever you need me to do it. That is exactly what you have done for me. Amen.

Monday, April 13th, 2009 "It Is Game Time!"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Monday, April 13^th, 2009

Title: It Is Game Time!

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (NIV)

¹²The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. ¹³For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

¹⁴Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. ¹⁵If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁶And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" ²²On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Here it is the middle of April and I am already craving some football. Who am I kidding? I was shedding a few tears 10 minutes after the Super Bowl ended. We have seen the annual March Madness extravaganza come and go, and that certainly diverted my attention for a few weeks, but once I recovered from watching the Tar Heels celebrate their national championship, I have once again began longing for those hot summer days when young men, and sometimes young ladies, put on the pads and helmet and begin to move from being 11 individuals to 1 team.

I played football while in school and I have had the privilege of coaching football. As much as it would be awesome to suit up once again, I know I would get killed. The gridiron is no place for a 39-year-old youth pastor. Unless that youth pastor was Brett Favre! Anyway, I think one reason I am so in love with the sport of football is because what it takes to form a successful team. You see, football is different than any other sport. Unlike basketball where you basically need 5 athletes that can all run up and down a court without passing out and who can all shoot the basketball pretty decently, or soccer where you need players who can run miles and miles all over the pitch and then have the coordination to dribble a soccer ball, kick it and pass it to other players, or baseball where if you can’t hit that little white pill with a toothpick you don’t really help the team any, football is the one sport that takes all types of guys to make the team successful. It takes big and not-so-fast guys that are strong enough to push another guy where he needs him to go. It takes guys that smaller and fast who can run with great speed past defenders. It takes guys who can throw the ball very far and accurately, while other guys can go and pluck it out of the air like a Frisbee-catching dog. It takes guys who are willing to run through a wall to make a tackle, while others can kick the pig skin a country mile. And if a team doesn’t posses guys with all of those characteristics, and who aren’t willing to use their abilities, then it is hard for the group to become a true team.

When football season begins and all my little 7,8 & 9 year old football players come out to the field for the first time, I am often bombarded by questions about how they can be the quarterback. Everyone wants to be quarterback. I even wanted to play quarterback. Why wouldn’t a football player have dreams of being the quarterback? Doesn’t the quarterback usually get his picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated or highlighted on ESPN? Doesn’t the quarterback date the prettiest girl and get voted Prom King? I can’t recall ever seeing a big offensive lineman win the Heisman Trophy or get voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. But I can’t tell you how many times the QB has received those things. Sure all of those things are great in a fantasy world, but in the game of football, a quarterback is nothing without the other 10 guys around him that makes his job possible. He can’t pass the ball to himself. That is why receivers are needed. The QB can’t run the ball every time. That is why running backs are needed. And none of that would be possible without the big, beefy boys in the trenches, snapping the ball and blocking. Oh! And do I even need to mention the defense? You see, it takes all types, embracing their jobs and doing their best to do their part to make the team function the way it was designed to function.

We Christians are lot like a football team. Now, I can hear some of you saying, “I hate football! It’s barbaric! I don’t even like sports.” And that’s okay. You don’t have to be a sports fan or a lover of football to get what I am saying. You see we each have been given wonderful and amazing gifts by God. Each of us have a true purpose to our lives, and part of that purpose is for us to work side by side, each day of our lives to accomplish the tasks ahead of us as Christ-Followers. We are called to share the good news of the grace, mercy and love of our savior Jesus Christ with a world that so desperately needs it. But for us to fully work the way we should, we must understand that it takes more than the one who is able to stand up in the pulpit and use eloquent words to reach those in the darkness. No, it takes those who are willing and able to get their hands and feet dirty and get into the muck. It takes those who are talented musically as well as those who are willing to use their artistic abilities to paint a portrait of God’s undeniable love for creation. It takes individuals who will work behind the scenes to get everything set up and moving smoothly so others can accomplish the tasks that line up with their gifts. And instead of getting so wrapped up and upset because we aren’t the quarterback, realize that without the lineman doing all of the dirty and thankless work, there is no way the team could ever taste victory.

If we begin to realize these things, we will become a truly unstoppable force. If we embrace the fact that our abilities are God given and that the plan is for us to reach a world full of lost and help them cross from the darkness into the Promised Land, we will be more amazing than any sports dynasty ever. And our reward is far greater than any trophy, gaudy piece of jewelry or some silly ticker-tape parade. It is the knowing that we have fulfilled our purpose and helped our team reach its goal. It’s game time people. Let’s go!

So join me in the huddle. Let’s get our play, fulfill our assignments and watch God lead us on to victory.

Something to Think About:

• Have you wondered what your gifts are?
• Maybe you have an idea what your gifts are. How have you used them to join other in reaching the lost?
• How could you better use them to fulfill your purpose?
• Do you know others who haven’t realized their gifts, or maybe have but are using them?
• How can God use you to reach them?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, thank you for making me unique and special. Thank you for the amazing gifts you have blessed me with. Help me not to get wrapped up in wishing I were someone you didn’t design me to be. Help me to embrace who I am and do all in my power to display those gifts while helping the team fulfill the mission and game plan you have placed before us. Amen.

Friday, April 10th, 2009 "Do You Have a Few Minutes?"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton

Friday, April 10^th, 2009

Title: Do You Have a Few Minutes?

Text: Matthew 6:5-6

⁵"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Do you have a cell phone? I’m sure you do, and if you don’t you have either had one and lost it, or you are seriously thinking about getting a phone. I went to a middle school to eat lunch with some of my youth the other day, and I was astonished at the number of 6^th grade guys and girls sitting at the table texting each other. Sometimes they were texting the person just across the table from them instead of taking the time to look at that person and say what they wanted to say. So, as any good youth pastor would do, I joined in. It was crazy. A few weeks ago my 10 year old son Tyler, who is in 4^th grade, asked when he was going to get a cell phone. I didn’t respond and simply turned up the car radio in hopes that he wouldn’t ask the question again.

I have had a cell phone since they hit the market back in the early 90’s. Have you ever watched the show “Saved by the Bell”? It was a wholesome show about 6 teens as they made their way through their years at Bayside High School. Well, my first phone was the same phone that the character Zack had on the show. IT WAS HUGE!!! That phone was larger than a VHS cassette tape. But I thought I was the real deal as I drove around town talking on my new mobile phone. It was way better than stopping at a pay phone and dropping in a quarter.

Well today I have graduated from the 5lb brick phone to a very trendy and sleek Blackberry. I must tell you that I am fully addicted to my Blackberry. With the unlimited texting and data plan that enables me to check my email, surf the internet and update my Facebook at the drop of a hat, I am truly a participant on the Information Super Highway I often get so consumed with my phone that I have named it my “Crackberry”. It is a name that is commonly used for us who are so attached to these phones. It’s a sickness, I know.

The one thing I have really noticed over the past few years is owe much we rely on this form of communication. Whether it is text messaging on our cell phones, instant messaging on our computers or even shooting out a quick email or changing our status on Facebook, we have really become a society that has quickly moved further and further away from the intimacy of the spoken conversation. Instead of just saying what we would like to say to another person, we just fire it out with a series of coded letters and symbols to get our message across. But the sad thing is that I feel this lack of personal interaction has even transferred over to our ability to have a real and personal conversation with God. Think about it. In the midst of our fast-paced lives it has become easier to just send a snippet of information than to take the time to have a meaningful dialogue. And that often takes place in our prayer life as well.

Think back on a time when you have just sat down and had a great conversation with someone you care about. What did it feel like? I can remember having some of those times when I just wished that time would never end. It felt comfortable, safe and meaningful. It felt as if a wonderful and valuable gift had just been exchanged, and that the priceless gift of someone’s time was graciously given to me, with nothing expected in return. When we take the time to put down the cell phone, combat the urge to log onto Facebook and instead, make the time to sit down for a personal talk with God, we will experience that very same feeling. God-Followers are so blessed to have the amazing and thrilling opportunity to spend personal time with the Famous One. When we approach God, we never get a busy signal or a, “I’ll have to call you back later” response. We immediately get the undivided attention of the one who loves us more than we could possibly know. We don’t have to go through some religious leader or have anyone else speak on our behalf. We just call out to God and we are instantly sitting face-to-face with the same person who created the universe. But far too often we just don’t seem to take advantage of this gift. I know I am as guilty as anyone.

So, will you join me in making the time each day to call a time out and exit off of the Information Super Highway for little while? Will you accompany me on my quest to put down the Crackberry and take part in a daily, intimate and personal conversation with God? I know that when we truly give God our time we will be blessed beyond our wildest dreams. We will learn things we never thought possible and experience things we could have never hoped for. I have a feeling that if we listen close enough, God has a lot to say. Let’s take the time and see what it is.

Something to Think About:

• How often do you spend personal time with God? Do you think it is enough?
• What things tend to distract you from give God the quality time God desires from you?
• How can you improve this area of your spiritual life?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, I know that I probably don’t spend enough time with you each day. I know that you desire for me to speak to you, to share with you all the things taking place in my life. I know that you love me so much that you want me to include you more, and the best way of doing that is through have a deeper conversation with you each day. Help me to grow in my desire to make that happen. Help me to become more disciplined and make this time with you a great priority in my life. And I know by doing so, I will truly experience an amazing interaction, blessing and gift through our time together. I love you God. Thank you for loving me. Amen.

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Tsunami Ministries Devo by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, April 8^th, 2009

Title: Supernatural

Text: John 6:10-13 (NIV)

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then too the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Every since I was a young boy there have always been a few things that could really catch my attention and cause me to really give my undivided attention. The first is no shocker to those who know me. I love food, especially when I am about to dive into something that I really enjoy eating. The second thing that can captivate me is sports and probably more specifically the game of football. It doesn’t matter if it is little guy football or the professionals. I love football! And last but not least is any type of magic or illusions. Not because I necessarily believe in it, but more so due to the fact that it amazes me how with the simplest of tricks and a slight of hand a person can appear to do something supernatural.

Growing up, the top illusionist was David Copperfield. I can remember him doing things such as making the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower disappear. And once he even came to more hometown of Charlotte, NC and allowed his crew to strap him into some crazy box and then he had to escape the box and get out of a building before it was blown up. And in all of these cases, David Copperfield was successful.

Today there is a new breed of illusionist that gives the impression of possessing supernatural abilities. Criss Angel is an edgy, dark and young guy that just does some crazy things. He seems to read minds and levitates and on one occasion even attempted to stand on water, as a crowd of so called skeptics stood by in awe. People run around yelling and screaming and others simply stand in stunned silence. And it all appears to be supernatural and that these guys must obviously posses some special power. But even as much as I attentively watch these men do their tricks, I still can’t help but feel that they could never stand next to the power and Godly presence of Jesus Christ.

Throughout scripture the amazing miracles and acts of the risen savior are revealed. From turning water into wine at a wedding reception to strolling out to the boat load of disciples in the middle of the lake, Jesus never seems interested in making a spectacle of himself, or gathering a crowd of spectators and announcing, “Now, for my next trick…”. Even down to being filled with the compassion for healing the paralyzed, restoring sight to the blind, raising people from the dead and catering an entire dinner party for a crowd of thousands with just a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread, Jesus is less about the show, and more and the soul. That is being supernatural. That is other-worldly. That is the power or God.

In today’s world, we tend to find it very easy to allow the world to throw the smoke and mirrors at us that will cause us to begin to believe the way the world wants us to believe. But our faith is more than falling for some tricks or relying on the man behind the curtain that is flipping the switches and pulling the strings. Instead, we should long to draw closer to the creator, keep our eyes on the savior and then we will truly experience the eye-popping, jaw-dropping power of the Master. And that is something worth our undivided attention. That is something supernatural.

Something to Think About:

• Look at a couple of the miracles Jesus does. What is a common thread throughout them all?
• What is different about the reaction of Jesus after these supernatural acts that place than you see in the illusionist of today?
• In scripture, what does the reaction of the followers of Jesus tend to be during his miracles? Do they draw strength and inspiration from what they have witnessed?
• How can we draw strength from those same miracles?
• In what supernatural ways have you seen Jesus work in your life, or the lives of others you know?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, Thank you for your strength and power. Thank you for your love and your compassion. Thank you for sending your son to this world and the examples that Jesus set for all his followers. Help me to draw strength and encouragement from the mighty acts of service, healing and kindness that Jesus did many years ago, and enable that same supernatural power of love to flow through me to all I encounter. And through this, bring you all honor and glory. Amen.

Tsunami Ministries Devo by Steve Keaton
Monday, April 6th, 2009
Title: Keep Running
Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV)
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

All my life I have been an athlete. I’ve have always tried to stay active and do my best to keep in shape. Sometimes that shape has been a bit rounder than other times, but I have usually tried to keep moving. Whether it was playing sports like football, basketball and baseball throughout my school years and even as an adult playing softball, golf and even some pick-up b-ball, I have loved the competition that sports brings with it. And even over the past 10 years I have kind of directed that passion for activity into some different directions. I’ve competed in a few triathlons, run a few distance races and other things like that. And even now you can find me at the gym 5 or so days a week lifting weights and running on the treadmill. Man, if I didn’t work out I’d probably weigh 500lbs. God did not bless us Keaton’s with a metabolism.
My relationship with running has always been one of the Love-Hate variety. At the age of 39 I find that sometimes I have to spend more time stretching for the run than the actual run itself. And when I get started, I can feel every twist and pull of every muscle, tendon and ligament for the first mile of so. It is almost as if my body is fighting itself as every joint gets lubricated. And even then my mind begins talking to me. I know I sound crazy, but at the beginning of each run I can hear my brain telling, “Dude! What are you doing? You’re getting too old for this! Come on Steve! Just stop running. It is okay man, everyone’s doing it!” And you know what? As these thoughts run through my mind I actually find myself beginning to seriously think about stopping. But, then I begin to tell myself that I can do it. I can finish the distance I’m shooting for that day. And then my mind begins to take over and I find the strength to push through. When I finish that run, and walk away, I always feel the same way. I always feel exilerated, stronger and as if I accomplished something that I could have easily given up on. Stopping is easy. I also know that once I stop, it would be a whole lot harder to start back. So, I push through and reach my goal.
Over the years I have really come to realize that our journey with Christ is very similar to that of a long distance run. I think a lot of people tend to view our Christian Walk as a sprint to the finish line, but I am certain that it is a very long and intense run that requires a tremendous about of endurance. Think about your journey. Where have you come from and where are you trying to get to? As Christ-Followers we should understand that our finish line is when we leave this world and enter the gates of paradise. But there is a lot of distance between this place and that. And during our travels, we will most likely experience a lot of questions and doubt to whether or not we can finish the race. This world will do all it can to try to get us to stop. The world will do all it can to cause us to stumble, fall, slow down and make us question ourselves and our ability to stay on the course. But we must push through all of that. We must draw on the fact that the strength we have in us for this race doesn’t even come from us. Instead, we are to understand that we are strengthened by our relationship with our Savior and our Creator. And the more we push on, the more the focus on the finish line, the more we commit to completing the course ahead of us, the stronger we will run and we will finish.
During the triathlons and other 10K runs I have competed in, one thing that was always a blessing was that as I made my way down the race course, it was always lined with people. Strangers, most of which I had never seen before and hadn’t seen since. And these strangers were not just quietly standing there as we raced past. No, these people played a vital role of giving us a great deal of support through cheering for the runners, waving and encouraging us to keep running. I can’t tell you how much those people blessed us during those times. And because of their encouragement I was able to push through the pain and finish. Well, know that you are also surrounded by people who love you and are encouraging you as you run the faith race in front of you. Listen closely, because they are there praying for you, cheering for you and letting you know that you can make it.
And one day, as we cross the finish line despite every attempt this world has made to get us to stop and quit, know that you will stand before God and receive something far greater than any amount of prize money or an Olympic Gold Medal. You will hear your Creator say, “Well done my good and faithful servant. Well done.” So, let’s keep running. Oh! Stretch first. You’d hate to pull a hammy.

Something to Think About:
• How do you think you’re doing in your race?
• How can you find the encouragement you need to continue on your journey?
• Are you training for the race? Fellowship, prayer, study? These are the things that give us fuel for our journey.
• How can God use you to help encourage others to not quit running and continue on their journey?
• How can God use you to reach others who haven’t received Christ as their savior and then help them start their own race?
• Make a list of those people and how God can use you to reach them.

A Few Minutes with God:
God, help me to understand that this Christian journey I am on is not a sprint, but a marathon. Help me to open my heart and mind to hear and experience the love and encouragement from so many people as I run the race ahead of me. And help me to do the same to encourage others on their path towards a life in paradise with you. Amen.

Fridau, April 3rd, 2009 "B-E-A-Utiful"

Tsunami Ministries Devo by Steve Keaton
Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Title: B-E-A-Utiful
Text: Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

I guess, due mainly due the fact that I am an extremely hard-headed man, that when it comes to getting the message of God out to this world that I have just got to become more hands on. You know, it is a very humanist and worldly way of thinking when we say things like, “Well, we’ve planned a good event. They should just show up. It’s not my fault that they aren’t Christians. Our church is great and if they would just show up they’d see.” I even had a problem with the little tag line that the United Methodist Church used a few years back. “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.” As a whole I think the notion was a great one. We should have open hearts and open minds when dealing with a hurting and lost world. And I even understand where they were coming from with the “Open Doors” portion of that phrase. But, as I spent more time with people and they would throw that statement around, I couldn’t help but get the feeling that they looked at it from a, “Well, our doors are open. We’re in here waiting on you. Just come on in.” state of mind. And that saddens me. But as I have pondered that phrase over and over again, I can’t help but think that most of us Christians have thought that very same thing. We have worked to make everything nice and welcoming inside the walls of our safe comfort zone. But very few of us have truly embraced the fact that if we are authentic Christ-Followers, we have been called to “Go!” And by “Go” I mean go everywhere.

In Matthew 28:16-20 we find the “Great Commission”. It is the challenge and marching orders from Jesus to all of us to hit the streets and get the word out. It tells us to go to every part of this big rock we call home and on those travels, do all we can to reach, teach, serve, and show all people about God’s amazing love and grace. And through that interaction and the relationships we build, help those souls who are wandering in the darkness, lost and seeking safety, shelter and the love of their creator, find their way home, and into the warmth and comfort of God.

We get so wrapped up in thinking that we have done all we can do, or should do to help the lost. Sure, we may collect some cans for the homeless, take a mission trip and rebuild some homes, or sponsor some children through an organization like World Vision or Compassion International. And I am not saying that those are great things that impact lives and souls. But when was the last time we seized the opportunity to take God to this world? When was the last we grabbed theses chances by the collar and enabled the Holy Spirit to speak through us? When was the last time we prayed with a stranger or sincerely shared with someone that God loves them? If we are not doing those things, then we have become a church who has not bought into the call that Jesus has places on our lives and we are not serving the way we are called to serve or being the church we are called to be.

We can no longer sit back and ask ourselves why people are choosing the world instead of God. These people can’t be expected to come to God, embrace the presence of God’s love and receive salvation if they have never heard or more importantly witnessed the life-changing, unconditional love of their creator. They can’t be expected to understand that there is a way out of the darkness and the life of doom they are in unless we first understand that it is our job and calling to take the news to them. How can one love something if they have no clue there is something to love.

My friends, this world will do all in its power to stop you from taking the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people who need to hear it. This world will throw every roadblock at you and make you feel that you aren’t worthy enough, that you are smart enough or Christian enough to do the work God has called us to do. But the world is wrong. You are exactly what God needs, desires and counts on to be the presenter of the greatest message one could ever hear.

So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get up, let’s get out and let’s hit the road. We have a lot of ground to cover. Ready or not world, here we come.

Something to Think About:

• In what ways have you taken the word of God’s love and the message of Jesus Christ to this world?
• Read Matthew 28:16-20
• What does Matthew 28:16-20 say to you? How can you make this commission a part of your life?
• Make of list of people that you know you can share the message of God’s love with?
• What is stopping you from doing so?

A Few Minutes with God:
God, help me to move beyond my comfort zone and outside the walls of my church to take your amazing and life-changing message to a world that needs to hear it. Help me to share and show your love with all people. Help me to be a messenger for you to a world in need. Thank you for your call on my life. Thank you for counting on me to share this wonderful message with a hurting word. Please reveal to me all who need to hear and I pray I will make a difference for you in this world. Amen.