Turning the Page—Liberty HS Baccalaureate (June 3, 2010)

As the Pastor of Student Ministries at GPCC, I have had the privilege and responsibility of casting the vision for what I believe God wants for our students. As I prayed and sought God’s direction, He seemed to be pointing back to this idea of a STORY and hence, the reason we have called our ministry, EPIC.

EPIC is defined as a “grand” story that highlights the adventures and achievements of a hero. A list of EPIC stories would include:

1. The Epic of Gilgamesh

2. The Iliad

3. The Odyssey

4. Beowulf

5. Star Wars

6. The Lord of the Rings series

I haven’t always been a reader but over the last 12-13 years I can’t stop reading. I didn’t use to enjoy reading because it was something I HAD to do. Of course, school always had us reading and not necessarily “fun” books and having a mother as a teacher meant my summers were consumed of weekly trips to the library and “countless” quiet hours for reading. Now, I always have a book on me, and though they are normally “non-fiction” books about ministry, leadership, or creativity, I do wander upon a good Fiction book every now and then. But not every story grabs my attention. To me, the characteristics of a great story are:

· Intriguing characters

· Depth and yet ease of plot

· A story that is bigger than the characters

· A deep longing for the next chapter

You are about to turn the page and enter a new chapter of your life . . . literally. The next chapter of your life, for many of you the next 4-8 years, will be some of the most rewarding and yet challenging times in your life. It is during this chapter of life that:

· Ties from friends are stretched and yet new ties are made with new friends.

· The role of parents move from parental authority to counselors, friends, supporters.

· You will determine who and what you want to be for the rest of your life.

· For many of you, this chapter of life is where you will meet your damsel in distress or your knight in shining armor.

This new chapter in your life is HUGE!! So how does God want you to handle this new chapter? Four things I want to share with you tonight from Ephesians 5.15-17, concerning how you need to live this chapter of your life:

1. Be Prepared–prepared for the twist and turns (v.15)

a. There will be ups and downs during this phase of life. Seeking godly counsel from parents, wise friends, etc. is essential during this time of life.

b. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

2. Live life on purpose (v. 16)

a. Don’t hold back.

b. God didn’t design us to live a mediocre life.

c. God designed us to live life on purpose for Him.

d. But in doing so, live for God, not for self.

3. Keep God as your focus. (v. 17)

a. It is easy in life to go with your plan, your parent’s plan, or someone else’s plan, but ultimately you must go with what God want for your life.

b. If God is not the main character in your story than you are not living the right story.

c. The most important part of God’s plan is for you to be a part of HIS story.

God desires that you play a part in a GRAND story—a story that is bigger than yourself but a story in which you are one of the main characters. So how do you become part of God’s story?

Roman 10.9-10 states, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

You must choose to be a willing participant in God’s story. It is not up to your parents, friends, church, pastor, etc. It is solely up to you. So have you entered God’s story? If not, I am asking you to please find me after the service and simply say—“So I want to be part of God’s story!” and I would LOVE nothing more to help you enter this amazing Story God has planned for you.

If you are here tonight and you already have made that chose and you are living out the story, as you turn the page and begin to live out this next chapter, make sure God is your focus, that you are living on purpose, and that you are prepared for what life brings your way.

Prayer

God, thank you for allowing us to be a part of Your story. Thanks for this moment in the life of these graduating seniors where they turn the page and enter a new chapter. Yet as they do so, God remind them of their need for you. Remind them that life isn’t worth living if you are not the main character. For the parents, we ask that you give them the strength and wisdom to help their seniors in this new chapter. Thanks again for the opportunity to stand here and to talk to this group. Use them in mighty ways to enrich and bring depth to your story.

1.  My goal for this year is to live 1John 2.6, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”  I want to walk just as Jesus walked.

2.  I am transferring degrees from Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology to a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership.  Just sense that the counseling path is the path God has for me right now.

3.  I have read two fiction/non-spiritual books in the past month (that is a record for me, since I prefer non-fiction spiritually related books).  I read, The End Is Now, by Rob Stennett.  Though it is a spiritually focused book it is fiction book.  The other book I just finished up is, Tiger Force, by Michael Sallah and Mitch Weiss.  The book is the account of a renegade group of U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War.  This book was way out of my normal reading habits but Anna got it for me and I really enjoyed reading it.  I read it all in about 3 nights.  It taught me a lot about human nature especially in moments of extreme crisis and conflict.

4.  I am currently reading, In Common:  Catalyst Groupzine.  It is a compilation of authors discussing the importance of community among Christians. 

5.  EPIC is going well.  I really like our FUSE Nights in which parents are encouraged to attend.  Our current programming breakdown is:

1. First week of the month—FUSE Night (Dinner with families and then parents have separate discussion while students do their regular programming).
2. 2nd and 3rd week of the month—regular EPIC format
3. 4th week of the month—rotate between an outreach activity and service projects.

6.  I am excited that the Colts are in the Super Bowl!!!!

7.  I am focused heavily on The CHILL which is our High School winter retreat.  You can read about it here.

8.  My personal spiritual development has been taking me through the book of Acts.  Though I haven’t been as consistent as I should, I have been impacted about the leadership of the Holy Spirit in the early church.  The result of His empowering of Christ-followers was incredible boldness and compassion which led to incredible growth and ministry opportunities.

9.  The fam is doing well.  Isaac and Noah continually do well at school.  Isaac has been quite the Jesus-witness at school (we are waiting te get calls from the school and/or parents).  Emma is Emma—really enough said!  She is getting sweeter by the day.  I live for our nightly snuggle moments.

10.  Anna and I have been working out.  Though it has been painful,  I have really enjoyed the experience.  I have lost about 10 pounds in the past 15 days.  My favorite snack is Steamed Sugar Snap Peas—and no I am not kidding!

So what is your Top Ten so far this year?

Above are pictures of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) students at Olentangy Liberty High School.  This morning we partnered with them to pass out 1200 (that is 100 dozen) free Krispy Kreme donuts to all the students entering the building.  There was card attached explaining that we just wanted to show them the love of Christ in a practical way.

After the blitz, we took the rest of the donuts down to the administrative offices, the teacher’s lounge and the janitor’s office.

It was an amazing morning and a GREAT event.  Looking forward to doing the same with Olentangy and Olentangy Orange High Schools.

Very proud of our EPIC students who showed up to help.  Thanks Anna J., Hannah F., Morgyn C., and Kennedy B.  Also a big thanks to Josh Dixon for helping us pass them out as well.

I recently saw this article and thought it interesting!

Three things have helped make this decision:

1. A church, Grace Point Community, that values furthering education to point of attaching that to a part of our benefits package as a staff member.
2. A Senior Pastor, Terry Lewis, that is CONSTANTLY in a learning mindset. In fact he is currently in the middle of his Doctor of Ministry program.  He is always challenging us and pushing us to grow in our faith and in our understanding.
3. A wife that is VERY supportive.  Without Anna encouraging this it would be impossible to pursue.
4. A volunteer staff that loves me and EPIC ministry and rallies behind the students and each other to accomplish what needs to be done.

So, I am now a Master of Professional Counseling student at Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA).  For the next 12 weeks my posts on this site may be sporadic but hope to keep up.

Below is the course description for the class I am currently in:

COUN 501:  COUNSELOR PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY, FUNCTION, AND ETHICS

This course introduces students to concepts regarding the professional functioning of counselors, including history, roles, professional organizations, ethics, legalities, standards, and credentialing.
Current issues in therapeutic practice in a variety of professional settings are explored.
This course provides students with an understanding of various aspects of professional functioning as a counselor. Some of these aspects include the following: the relevance of personal identity to professional identity; the function of professional ethical codes and standards; ethical/legal considerations; the development of a biblical worldview regarding counseling; the history and development of counseling as a profession and as a distinct ministry of the church; roles, functions, and relationships with other providers; technology; professional organizations, primarily including
the AACC and ACA, with emphasis on divisions/branches, affiliates, benefits, activities, member services, current emphases, credentialing, certification/licensure, and accreditation; public policy and professional advocacy; advocacy on behalf of clients; and current challenges/opportunities facing today’s counselor.

Olentangy Orange will be playing New Albany at 6:00 pm

Olentangy High will be playing Olentangy Liberty at 8:00 pm

To help celebrate and be a part of this great night, EPIC will be bringing out a customized tailgating trailer for the festivities.

We are asking ALL students to bring their friends by for a FREE pop and hot dogs and maybe toss some cornhole or texas horseshoes!!!!

Join us this EPIC event!!!!!!

Anyway, that is not the weird part.  The weird part is when we were heading back to the car after seeing Cailin Coane perform during the halftime show (GOOD JOB Cailin!!).  I happened to see a Smart car sitting in a driveway as we were walking by and an older gentleman was getting ready to put it in his garage.  He asked my the score of the game, which I told him and that struck up about a one hour conversation with this 80 year old man.  By the end of the night we ended up in this man’s living room talking to him and his wife of 58 years!!!

I found out that one of his son teaches 8th grade at Orange Middle and is a minister.

Through further conversation, I found out this 80 year old man and his wife started a business called “Whiteside Manufacturing.”  I got online and here is the write up about the history of the business:

“Established in 1954 by Robert and Mary Lue Whiteside, Whiteside Manufacturing Company, Inc. has been providing the world with innovation in mechanic’s creepers and seats for half a century. Robert started the company in a two-car garage on $800.00 he earned from refereeing high school basketball games. Fifty years later, the Whiteside Manufacturing facility encompasses almost 100,000 sq. ft. with on-site warehouses, shipping, and production facilities, and offices.

The mission of Robert Whiteside in 1954 was to supply the most professional, long lasting, most innovative tools for the professional user. After 50 years, that same mission is still Whiteside’s quest. With over 150 different models of creeper, seats, and related items, Whiteside Manufacturing Company, Inc. proudly stands above the competition!

Whiteside Manufacturing is now in it’s third generation of family leadership. Kirt and Terry Whiteside are the sons of Robert and Mary Lue, and Tenille Whiteside-Schoonover and Cortney Whiteside-Mays (Kirt’s daughters) are the latest to follow Robert’s vision. With quality and innovation in mind, Whiteside Manufacturing Company, Inc. will continue on its path of success long into the future.”

The whole experience with this couple was weird but truly amazing.  I’m not sure why God allowed us to cross paths but after talking, swapping addresses and being offered to stop by anytime, I have no doubt that God has something in store.

Please not only pray for the families but for the students and staff of Olentangy Liberty High School!

Last night they took both the senior and junior off of life support and early this morning they passed away.

I stopped by the school today to pray with some of my students.  The school, which is a a pretty busy place, was filled with silent halls except for the sound of students sobbing.

James 4.14 reminds us that life is but a vapor!! I am sure that Jordan’s (the senior) family was in full swing getting all the plans together for a celebratory graduation party and now they are frantically getting ready for a funeral.

Life truly is a vapor!  What are you doing with yours?