'Bridging the Generation Gap'... "so the next generation would know"

"Generations behind will be stronger if they see it lived out in us" ~ Dr. J. Johns

There are so many people in the world today, differing in gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, religious beliefs, faith-based relationships, and there are MANY things that are not being passed down from generation to generation, that should be. Common Sense no longer really exists, and it is something that is learned, yet also gained through experience and understanding of others around you. There is a LARGE Gap between generations, and through the power of the CROSS and the hands & feet of ALL generations we can connect to each other again, and bridge the gap. We can stand in the gap, and cry out to God to restore us as a people.

Not all, but alot of 'young people' today are being blamed for a lot of things (some yes, it's understandable), but for a lot of it, it is because they are NOT seeing it lived out in the generations before them (Me included).  Things like HONOUR, RESPECT, WORK ETHIC and INITIATIVE are being replaced with SELFISHNESS, EGO-TRIPS, LAZINESS, and 'SOMEONE ELSE CAN DO IT' or 'IT'S NOT MY PROBLEM/I DIDN'T DO IT' attitudes. For too long we have let things slip in teaching, training or just in our living out with the generations behind us.

Things like TRUTH, JUSTICE, FREEDOM, WISDOM, FAMILY VALUES, MORALS, TRADITIONS are not being taught to the generations behind us. (This goes for ALL generations -- because even generations 2 under you are watching you.) Now is the TIME to take back our 'kids'... but even more so, 'Kids' be an example to the Generations before you...

The BIBLE is GOD'S WORD, and it is TRUTH. Jesus Himself, is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. The words in the BIBLE are TRUE, they are not just fables or stories told long ago, passing through generations. They are HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS of things that happened and people that lived long ago. Their life accounts can be applied to our lives today... their flaws and sins are found in our lives today, their regrets, failures, tests, character flaws, worldly desires, etc can be found in the people of the world today. But the TRUTHS of God's love and faithfulness, and restoring, forgiveness and help can also be shown. God is the SAME, yesterday, today and FOREVER! Their relationship with GOD our Heavenly Father, can and will show us the way to live and not to live. The BIBLE is NOT just a book of religious commands, and 'don'ts', but it can and does show us the things we can do or live out for the generations behind us. No longer can a room full of people rhyme off 'The Lord's Prayer' because they don't 'know' it - have never heard it or learned it {let alone not get 'into trouble' for saying it.} No longer can people say 'well you know, like in the life history of Jonah, who disobeyed God...' because you will have those asking who Jonah is. No longer do parents sit with their children and share the truths that were passed on from their parents and grandparents. {Yes, it is true that some families do share time together, and that is great. I am thankful for family time with my family, and my 'family-in-love'.}

NOW is the time to grow and learn TOGETHER. Each generation sharing with the one after it, and even sharing with the ones before. We can ALL learn from each other. Yes, the world is changing. Yes, the world is getting younger, but it is still getting older. Yes, we need to focus on the 'youth' of today and tomorrow, and make things flashy and fun for them... but we cannot lose faith in the generations of yesterday, in the timeless hymns and traditional values of the past. They are needed to show the example of love, faithfulness, loyalty, honour, grace, God's goodness through the years, and more! We have to remember we are still training and teaching them, and they us. We need to be applicable to ALL generations... if that means flashyness with large print, then so be it! :) HONOURING ALL generations is important, as the generations behind will see it, and live it out!

I am so glad that I am able to participate and glean from the teaching, training and just plain 'living out' of the 'teachers' & people who have imparted and do still impart into my life... but I am also glad that I myself, am blessed to be a part of training the next generations behind me. I have the ability (thanks to God of course for the giftings & talents, but also to my church and my career) to teach, train, and be a 'living example' for babies (0-18 months), children (18 months - 8 years), tweens (9 yrs - 12 yrs), and teens (13+). I see this as a challenge, yes, as the WORD OF GOD says that teachers will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1) "Do not be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life." (The Message) But most of all I see it as a BLESSING. I have a large SPHERE of INFLUENCE, who will learn and grow, and then teach the next generations behind them. Therefore, I need to live my life by example as well. For not only are the children watching and learning, but their parents and other adults are as well.

One of my 'LIFE VERSES' that Holy Spirit has shown me, and definitely one of the reasons why I do what I do {teaching & training the next generations} is found in Psalms 78 (verses 1-8) {"Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I’m chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation— God’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done. He planted a witness in Jacob, set his Word firmly in Israel, Then commanded our parents to teach it to their children So the next generation would know, and all the generations to come— Know the truth and tell the stories so their children can trust in God, Never forget the works of God but keep his commands to the letter. Heaven forbid they should be like their parents, bullheaded and bad, A fickle and faithless bunch who never stayed true to God." - The Message} Verses 6&7 highlighted above, are the ones that stuck out.

"That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;" (Psalms 78:6-7 NKJV)

"...so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands." (Psalms 78:6-7 NIV)

Living a life of love and being an example in all you say and do... that is a challenge and a half... there is always faults in everyone, and through God we can change and renew our lives to be more Christ-like. It's easy to fall into traps of temptation and sin, and to 'talk behind someone's back', to 'sneer' or 'roll your eyes' at someone, to speak words of hurt in bitterness, etc... but it's even easier to just take ONE STEP back to Jesus, and lay it all at His feet, and let Him renew and restore your heart and mind. It takes alot to remember that others are watching (especially if you are a teacher of any kind) -- and it is a 'slow fade', it doesn't happen all at once... the temptation/sin or the redemptive process... It's not an IMMEDIATE action to fall into temptation and sin, and it's also not an IMMEDIATE action to be renewed and restored. The CHANGE from the TOUCH of GOD's hand on your life is immediate, but you still have to make the right choices to do right, and our "thoughts invade, and choices are made" as in the words in the song 'Slow Fade' by Casting Crowns. All the words to the song are powerful -- but one line always hits me, "Be careful little feet where you go, for it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow".

BE AN EXAMPLE and if you know me, HELP ME to BE AN EXAMPLE, "so the next generations would know".

May you be BLESSED as you go, and remember there are always 'little eyes' watching you... (did you know that your eyes supposedly stay the same size as you grow -- so all eyes can be considered little?) Live it out, so that we produce stronger generations behind us.


Here's a video to SLOW FADE on Vimeo...
http://vimeo.com/7474108

Some TRUTH from Bob Fitts...

So, I've been going through some old 'church notes' that I have taken (as I have tried to keep alot of them) and found a book from a conference I attended as a Young Adult. The guest speaker was Bob Fitts and the Worship Leader was Steve Kuban... oh the memories!

One of the sessions was called 'REALITIES OF THE FIRE" and I want to share bits and pieces of that one with you. One of the main points that popped off the page is "MISSIONS ISN'T 'CROSSING THE SEA' it's 'SEEING THE CROSS'."

It is so true, and missions is just sharing JESUS with others. Living the life and demonstrating the power of God so others will see (and hopefully want it too). You don't have to cross the sea, as there are those who have unbelief right in your own neighbourhood, and God will let you see them through the eyes of the cross.

Anyway, here are some notes for you to glean from today (since I haven't written any here for a while):

* God is a FLAME-THROWER
* Worship is a FRAGRANCE that comes from our lives. Everyone has music inside of them.
* Be a 'LIVER' - God wants 'livers'!!! (LIVERS OF PRAISE)
* DEMONSTRATE - show it!
* I HAVE BEEN CALLED TO WORSHIP GOD WITH MY LIFE!

LIFE LESSONS:
1/ Living Praise
2/ Learn to worship God in uncomfortable situations (listen to the words/message, not the singers)
3/ Holiness - He is changing our principle of Holiness. (recognize His mercy & His grace) - He makes us holy through His Son Jesus.
4/ Humility - seeking the 'low'. Humble ourselves like Jesus did.
5/ Praise is not just to God, its to each other.
6/ Know that we are in a battle.

GUARD AGAINST THESE FOLLOWING THINGS:
1/ Watch your relationship to your leadership
2/ Your key family relationships
3/ Be careful about your FINANCE$
4/ Health
5/ Your vision / Your destiny

BE ALERT!


BE BLESSED!

Refuse to be a Grasshopper...

FAITH...

Child-like faith is an amazing thing. I am privileged to have been a part of 2 kids/jr youth camps this summer. Watching those kids (aged 6/7-12ish) worship alongside some amazing JR youth leaders (13+) and their counsellors/lead staff (16+?) is a joy to my heart. They just believe in their heart all that is told to them about JESUS and His love for us. He doesn't have to prove alot, they just have to see it lived out in those around them. They sing from their hearts, and worship God in their own way, whether it be with clapping, dancing, standing, sitting, cheering, shouting, or being still. My passion for children's ministry and imparting into their lives is definitely deepening into much more... I am excited to see where God is taking me as well in this adventure. Living out the 'life verse' found in Psalm 78:1-8 {mostly verse 4 "We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done." & verse 6-7 "That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments;"}

God does indeed have BIG plans for us (no matter what our age is). Some of us have been Christians since we were little (like myself), and some of us just became Christians maybe even just today. God is never finished with us... if we are still breathing and living, God has plans for us. :) So why is it we feel like GRASSHOPPERS at times??

A grasshopper just hops aimlessly through a field, and blends in with the grass... he's a grass hopper. One who travels aimlessly through their life blending in with the world around him... just waiting for a 'GIANT' to come along and either catch him, step on him, disect him, or maybe even eat him. Do YOU want to be a Grasshopper??

The Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers, and went by what they could see and feel, instead of using the faith they had in their God. (Well all except two faithful ones, Joshua & Caleb.) Here's the 'historical facts' found in Numbers 13; God told Moses to send out spies into the promised land, the land of Canaan. God told him to send out one man from each of the tribes of Israel. There were 12 in total, and they went to spy out the land. They were to see;
* what the land is like
* whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many
* whether the land is good or bad
* whether the cities are like camps or strongholds
* whether the land is rich or poor
* whether there are forests or not

He instructed them to BE OF GOOD COURAGE and bring back some of the fruit of the land, because it was the season for the first ripe grapes.

So according to the 'historical account', it says they returned with a cluster of grapes and some pomegranates & figs, and said in Numbers 13:27, “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. v. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. v. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” But thankfully Caleb stepped up and said in v. 30, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones to come back with a good report, for the other 10 men replied in verse 31, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Telling the others that there were giants, and that they are stronger than them, and that they are like grasshoppers in their sight would not be an encouraging word to Moses and the other Israelites. Moses' instruction (from God) was to 'BE OF GOOD COURAGE'... these words don't sound very courageous to me. The fact of the matter is that they saw themselves as 'grasshoppers'. We are not to live by what we see or feel, we are to live and walk by our faith. The faith that we have in Jesus to receive the inheritance that He has promised to us.

Canaan was the 'promised land', the land flowing of milk and honey. God had led them this far, only for them to walk by fear and not by faith. If something is 'promised' to you, that means that it is yours. (usually) A promise from God would be more reliable than a promise from man. {as I remember a promise made to me when I was little, by a little boy that he was going to marry me - and then hearing the news that he was getting married on New Year's Eve several years ago was kind of disheartening, but slam, reality!! - seriously who keeps their childhood promises?? (still love you like a brother, you know who you are). But I'm definitely happy for whom I did marry! Love you Mark!} Sometimes however, we need to do some work to receive that promise. It doesn't always come easy, but if it's promised, it usually does come. :) The Israelites just had to obey God and walk out in the PROMISE that He had given them.

Why do we always question God? Why does God always have to prove Himself for us to listen? Why do we usually rely on the circumstances around us; what we see & feel, rather than Him and His Word? Why do we need to KNOW everything before we act? Why do we not always fully receive that which He has promised us? Why does our faith seem to grow 'weaker' with age... and not remain child-like, believing God will do what He says He will do?

We need to press through, and contend for the harvest or that which He has promised to us. We need to REFUSE TO BE GRASSHOPPERS. We shouldn't see ourselves as grasshoppers, nor should we allow others to see us as grasshoppers.

Step out of your comfort zone and step into the comfort of Jesus' love as you walk out blindly in an adventure with Him. Trusting Him alone in all that you do! For according to another one of my 'life verses' if you "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Refuse to be a GRASSHOPPER... and be a FAITH-GIANT! :D Remember NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

Check out this song that we sang at both camps:


Be blessed & be a blessing!