Friday, February 6, 2009
Remembering The Journey
On Wednesday afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit with an awesome young couple about the ministry of Skipstone. Eric & Andrea are about to graduate from college and have an overwhelming sense of calling to ministry, to camp ministry and Christian education more specifically.
When I received an email from them several weeks ago inquiring about the ministry, it was in the midst of a very busy time for me. I remember contemplating my response. I was immediately aware of my flesh screaming "but what about your calendar?", "you don't have time for this!", and "somebody else can do it.". I also vividly remember a whisper from God reminding me that it wasn't so long ago (although longer than I care to admit!) that I was sitting at the same intersection where Eric and Andrea are sitting today.
I remember the turmoil of having such a strong desire for God to use me in ministry, but being "stuck" in a job I didn't particularly enjoy, and praying everyday for God to open the right door of ministry for me (or at least get me out of "here"!). I remember all of the promises I made to God.... "Lord, if you will just do "this", I will serve you with all of my heart".
I remember hours and hours of Shondi and I sharing our hearts with one another and dreaming about what God would do "one day". I remember the first opportunity I had to be a part time Youth Pastor at a little mill village church with only enough students to fill up my little Plymouth Champ (that's a four seater car for those of you who don't know about the first "egg shaped" car!). I remember my plans to grow that ministry into a mega youth group and my ultimate realization that my plan didn't remotely resemble God's plan for that little church.
I remember each opportunity that God has given me over the last twenty years, and how with each one, I quickly put my plans into action and "put the pedal to the metal". "Go big or go home!" was probably the best way to describe the majority of the early years of my ministry. That's all I knew, and a part of me always thought that accomplishing something great with the opportunity God gave me was the benchmark I had to reach in order for God to give me a bigger opportunity.
While those who know me best would say that there is still some of that "Go big or go home" and "pedal to the metal" thinking in me, I pray that I'm finally discovering that the opportunities God has given me over the last twenty years were much more about preparing me for His ultimate purpose for my life than for what "I" was going to accomplish for Him.
I'm so thankful as I look back.... He let me be a part of impacting a lot of people over the years. I saw a lot of students discover a relationship with Jesus Christ. I saw families restored, relationships healed, and lives changed. I also experienced great disappointment, unimaginable heartache, and often the unpleasant consequences of getting out of step with God's plans and perfect will.
When I consider all that God has done to bring me to this point, I'm thankful beyond comprehension for both the blessings and the pain, because God used it all for His glory and to prepare me for today. The pain of getting out of step with God and His plans, reminds me to seek Him first every day, and to make sure that I'm willingly surrendering my own agenda in order to accomplish His. The blessings of the past give me reassurance that the same God that was at work then, in spite of me, is still working today, in spite of me!
I wish you could have been in my office as I shared the Skipstone story with Eric and Andrea. I pray that it was an encouragement to them as they begin their faith journey, but fear I may have scared them to death! My prayer for them is that they will recognize the places they have been, and even where they are today, is a wonderful place for God to continue preparing them for His ultimate plan for them. In a selfish way, I think it would be kind of cool if we got to be a part of that process some day. Please pray for this young couple...for patience & understanding, for provision, and for the right opportunity in God's perfect timing.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Matthew 6:33 (King James Version)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Have a BLESSED day and live for Jesus!
Whatever It Takes,
Chip
When I received an email from them several weeks ago inquiring about the ministry, it was in the midst of a very busy time for me. I remember contemplating my response. I was immediately aware of my flesh screaming "but what about your calendar?", "you don't have time for this!", and "somebody else can do it.". I also vividly remember a whisper from God reminding me that it wasn't so long ago (although longer than I care to admit!) that I was sitting at the same intersection where Eric and Andrea are sitting today.
I remember the turmoil of having such a strong desire for God to use me in ministry, but being "stuck" in a job I didn't particularly enjoy, and praying everyday for God to open the right door of ministry for me (or at least get me out of "here"!). I remember all of the promises I made to God.... "Lord, if you will just do "this", I will serve you with all of my heart".
I remember hours and hours of Shondi and I sharing our hearts with one another and dreaming about what God would do "one day". I remember the first opportunity I had to be a part time Youth Pastor at a little mill village church with only enough students to fill up my little Plymouth Champ (that's a four seater car for those of you who don't know about the first "egg shaped" car!). I remember my plans to grow that ministry into a mega youth group and my ultimate realization that my plan didn't remotely resemble God's plan for that little church.
I remember each opportunity that God has given me over the last twenty years, and how with each one, I quickly put my plans into action and "put the pedal to the metal". "Go big or go home!" was probably the best way to describe the majority of the early years of my ministry. That's all I knew, and a part of me always thought that accomplishing something great with the opportunity God gave me was the benchmark I had to reach in order for God to give me a bigger opportunity.
While those who know me best would say that there is still some of that "Go big or go home" and "pedal to the metal" thinking in me, I pray that I'm finally discovering that the opportunities God has given me over the last twenty years were much more about preparing me for His ultimate purpose for my life than for what "I" was going to accomplish for Him.
I'm so thankful as I look back.... He let me be a part of impacting a lot of people over the years. I saw a lot of students discover a relationship with Jesus Christ. I saw families restored, relationships healed, and lives changed. I also experienced great disappointment, unimaginable heartache, and often the unpleasant consequences of getting out of step with God's plans and perfect will.
When I consider all that God has done to bring me to this point, I'm thankful beyond comprehension for both the blessings and the pain, because God used it all for His glory and to prepare me for today. The pain of getting out of step with God and His plans, reminds me to seek Him first every day, and to make sure that I'm willingly surrendering my own agenda in order to accomplish His. The blessings of the past give me reassurance that the same God that was at work then, in spite of me, is still working today, in spite of me!
I wish you could have been in my office as I shared the Skipstone story with Eric and Andrea. I pray that it was an encouragement to them as they begin their faith journey, but fear I may have scared them to death! My prayer for them is that they will recognize the places they have been, and even where they are today, is a wonderful place for God to continue preparing them for His ultimate plan for them. In a selfish way, I think it would be kind of cool if we got to be a part of that process some day. Please pray for this young couple...for patience & understanding, for provision, and for the right opportunity in God's perfect timing.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Matthew 6:33 (King James Version)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Have a BLESSED day and live for Jesus!
Whatever It Takes,
Chip
Thursday, February 5, 2009
National Prayer Breakfast in Washington Today
Wow! I had no idea that people were actually reading this! To be honest, I write my thoughts each morning as much for myself as for any other reason. I've never been very good at "journaling", so I can look back at these posts and see how God has been working in my life and in the life of the ministry of Skipstone on those days when I get discouraged.
As I was praying this morning, I thought of some friends of mine who will have an incredible opportunity in just a few moments to do something most of us wil never have the opportunity to do. They will be leading President Obama and congressional leaders in worship at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington this morning.
I thought since you and I can't be there, you might enjoy knowing what God will be saying to our country's leaders this morning through the ministry of Casting Crowns. Here is what they are singing:
VOICE OF TRUTH by Casting Crowns
Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are
WHO AM I by Casting Crowns
Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.
This is a pretty awesome opportunity if you ask me. I'm praying that God will do a work in Washington today!
Whatever It Takes,
Chip
As I was praying this morning, I thought of some friends of mine who will have an incredible opportunity in just a few moments to do something most of us wil never have the opportunity to do. They will be leading President Obama and congressional leaders in worship at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington this morning.
I thought since you and I can't be there, you might enjoy knowing what God will be saying to our country's leaders this morning through the ministry of Casting Crowns. Here is what they are singing:
VOICE OF TRUTH by Casting Crowns
Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are
WHO AM I by Casting Crowns
Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.
This is a pretty awesome opportunity if you ask me. I'm praying that God will do a work in Washington today!
Whatever It Takes,
Chip
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What I Learned From My Dog Today
My day started out a little earlier and a little stranger than I hoped. Our beloved camp dog "Belle" has been with our family for at least the last seven or eight years. If you are familiar with Skipstone, then you've probably met Belle.
Although I don't consider myself a "dog person" or really even a "pet person", I have grown to love Belle. She's a great dog , who rarely does anything wrong, doesn't require a lot of attention from me (in part because she gets nonstop attention from 140 kids everyday!), and for the most part just "hangs out" and takes in the activities of the day.
Like most of us though, Belle does have her issues. She is intelligent enough to know that we sell Chic-Fil-A biscuits to our students in the mornings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She has developed a perfect strategy for getting her fair share of the biscuit population on those mornings, by strategically placing herself to put on the "puppy eyes" and beg, or if all else fails, waiting on the students to look the other way and grab the biscuit right out of their hands and dispose of it, wrapper and all.
She also has strange sleeping habits. She claims a particular spot on our old sofa, and sleeps lying on her back with her paws sticking straight up in the air. There nothing wrong with this I suppose, but it sure looks strange when I leave the house each morning and she picks her head up and looks at me as if to say "can you please be a little more quiet, I'm not done with my beauty rest?".
Belle's worst issue is that she is absolutely terrified of bad weather. I have never been able to understand how such an easy going dog can absolutely lose her ever loving mind when bad weather arrives!
It starts well before I even know a storm is coming....she starts panting, walking around with a terrified look on her face, as though she has just seen satan in the closet. As the storm draws closer, she will find Shondi (I guess because of her gift of mercy) or me (I'm not sure why "me") and walk so closely to our feet that we can hardly move. If we try to put her in a "safe" place, so that she isn't under of feet, she will scratch and beat on the door until she convinces us that being under our feet is less annoying than replacing whatever door she is about to claw her way through.
At 5:30am this morning I awoke to the familiar scratching and clawing on our bedroom door. I layed there for a minute, hoping she would give up and go back to her "upside down" sleep, even calling to her through the door that it was just the wind blowing (as though she understood or even cared). I finally gave up, walked her back into the den, and tried my best to persuade her to go back to sleep. She just sat there with the "but I've just seen satan" look and waited for me to take a step.
Since I was already wide awake by now, I headed for the bathroom to shower. She was right under my feet from the den to the bathroom door, where I politely explained that she was not welcome in the bathroom (the line has to be drawn somewhere!). When I finished my shower, and opened the bathroom door to go out, there she was, patiently waiting to get under my feet again.
By this time, the rest of the household was waking from their slumbering, so I passed off the "comforter role" to somebody else and came on down to the office.
As I was thinking about the morning, it occurred to me that from God's perspective, maybe Belle has the right idea. I wonder how many times we see the storms of life coming, but instead of trying to get to our Master, we walk around terrified by the threat of the storm, so worried or afraid that we look like we just saw satan in the closet! Yes, we get through the storms, but we sure bear a lot of unnecessary fear and worry when we fail to get to the feet of Jesus, where a "peace that surpasses all understanding" is found.
Several times a day in recent weeks, I have met or heard of people who are facing significant storms in their life. People are losing their jobs, their homes, struggling with broken relationships, and fighting spiritual battles. These storms are real, some are so intense that imminent danger is near. My prayer is that when we find ourselves in a storm, our first reaction is to RUN to our Master, the Prince of Peace, for it is at HIS feet that we can find our greatest comfort. God never intended for us to walk through our storms alone and afraid! RUN to His feet, whatever it takes, just RUN there now and trust Him....he will take care of you!
Psalm 46:1-3 NIV
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Run To HIM Today,
Chip Moody
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Who's Got Your Back?
I'm running a little late with this morning's post, but sometimes God works in ways we don't expect. I had one of our Skipstone dads drop by for a few minutes this morning. We had a great time sharing with each other and talking about what God is up to in our lives. This guy continues to be one of the most consistent prayer warriors for Shondi and I and the ministry of Skipstone of anyone that I am aware of.
I pray that each person reading this has someone that you know is praying for you on a regular basis...it really is the fuel that keeps us going. I also pray that you make it a spiritual discipline to pray for others. It's amazing how much less we tend to focus on ourselves and on our problems when we are consistently praying for others.
James 5:16 (King James Version)
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
effectual, fervent..... probably not words that would describe most of my prayers!
Charles Spurgeon once said "There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision. It is as if a regiment of soldiers should all fire off their guns anywhere. Possibly somebody would be killed, but the majority of the enemy would be missed."
Lord help us to learn to pray.....
Have a BLESSED day and live for Jesus!
Whatever It Takes,
Chip
I pray that each person reading this has someone that you know is praying for you on a regular basis...it really is the fuel that keeps us going. I also pray that you make it a spiritual discipline to pray for others. It's amazing how much less we tend to focus on ourselves and on our problems when we are consistently praying for others.
James 5:16 (King James Version)
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
effectual, fervent..... probably not words that would describe most of my prayers!
Charles Spurgeon once said "There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision. It is as if a regiment of soldiers should all fire off their guns anywhere. Possibly somebody would be killed, but the majority of the enemy would be missed."
Lord help us to learn to pray.....
Have a BLESSED day and live for Jesus!
Whatever It Takes,
Chip
Monday, February 2, 2009
Conclave 2009 - Booth Picture
Here is a pic of our booth at the Conclave Conference at Gwinnett Arena this past weekend!
Is Jesus All That We Need?
I had the opportunity to attend the Conclave Conference last Thursday-Saturday in Atlanta. The Conclave is an event designed to encourage and equip student pastors from churches and ministries all over the Southeast.
Several of our staff members attended primarily to be a part of the ministry expo and talk about the ministry of Skipstone to conference attendees. We had a great time, met a LOT of people, and networked with some churches that are planning some events with us later this year.
This was the third "youth conference" we have done since Skipstone was started. I'm always interested in what the "latest and greatest" minds immersed in modern day "youth culture" have to say to those of us who minister to students on a regular basis.
I don't have time to go into all that was said (maybe I can do it over several posts), but the overall theme from this year's conference was a call to those of us who work with students to be "satisfied" with Jesus, and not so intent on finding the next great "thing" to reach this generation.
Interestingly enough, God has been showing me a lot of those same things this year as I have prayed for direction and for God's vision for Skipstone. In other words, both in my personal walk, and in the life of this ministry, we should be striving towards a "everyday walk" that is immersed in Jesus!
If we can discipline ourselves to the point that Jesus is all we need.... not the accolades of men, not the "wisdom" of the world, not the logic of our own minds, and not the goals and dreams of our flesh, I believe with all of my heart that God will show us "great and unsearchable things we do not know"-Jeremiah 33:3.
Is Jesus really enough for me? Do I really believe that He is the answer to the challenges that I face everyday? Do I trust Him or do I give my problems to Him and then keep worrying about them anyway?
Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Have a BLESSED week and live for Jesus!
Whatever It Takes,
Chip
Several of our staff members attended primarily to be a part of the ministry expo and talk about the ministry of Skipstone to conference attendees. We had a great time, met a LOT of people, and networked with some churches that are planning some events with us later this year.
This was the third "youth conference" we have done since Skipstone was started. I'm always interested in what the "latest and greatest" minds immersed in modern day "youth culture" have to say to those of us who minister to students on a regular basis.
I don't have time to go into all that was said (maybe I can do it over several posts), but the overall theme from this year's conference was a call to those of us who work with students to be "satisfied" with Jesus, and not so intent on finding the next great "thing" to reach this generation.
Interestingly enough, God has been showing me a lot of those same things this year as I have prayed for direction and for God's vision for Skipstone. In other words, both in my personal walk, and in the life of this ministry, we should be striving towards a "everyday walk" that is immersed in Jesus!
If we can discipline ourselves to the point that Jesus is all we need.... not the accolades of men, not the "wisdom" of the world, not the logic of our own minds, and not the goals and dreams of our flesh, I believe with all of my heart that God will show us "great and unsearchable things we do not know"-Jeremiah 33:3.
Is Jesus really enough for me? Do I really believe that He is the answer to the challenges that I face everyday? Do I trust Him or do I give my problems to Him and then keep worrying about them anyway?
Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Have a BLESSED week and live for Jesus!
Whatever It Takes,
Chip
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