what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable...

''The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply find unbelievable.'' (''What If I Stumble'' by dcTalk)

This quote has been weighing heavy on my heart lately. Much of the reasoning behind it is simply because of what I do. Being a Youth Pastor can be the most rewarding and frustrating job at the same time. My ''job'' is to share the life changing message--the good news--of Jesus, and to hope and pray that students ''get it'' and instead of simply hearing the message they embrace it and live it out in their own lives.

The reality of this is that I cannot, and will not force Jesus down anyone's throat. I recognize that even though I had my ''a-ha'' moment when I was 16 and decided that day at camp that I wasn't going to live for myself any longer, but would choose that day to live my life for Jesus, the reality is that this won't be the case for every students that I connect with.

The reality of being a follower of Jesus is that we are called to be ''Set Apart''. We are supposed to be different...
- In our actions
- In our attitudes
- In our morals
- In our speech
- In our whole lives...

The challenge is that this world, this culture, that we live in is so enticing--so attractive--so sexy--so flashy. There is so much that pulls us apart from the intimacy that Jesus so longs for with us.

Galatians 1:6-8 says ''I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.''

Paul writes to the church in Galatia that they are being so easily distracted by a message that is so enticing--so attractive--so sexy--so flashy...but here's the main point: IT'S NOT THE GOSPEL. (the good news of Jesus)

And I think that so many of us--and myself included--we are so easily drawn to what's ''more fun'' or ''sexier'' or ''enticing''. Yet we forget, that these things are only temporary. They WON'T LAST. Jesus will.

I can remember the first time someone said to me ''You're a Christian?'' Ever had someone say that to you before? Makes you think doesn't it? Am I different...
- In my actions
- In my attitude
- In my morals
- In my speech
- In my whole life...?

John 10:10 says ''The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.''

2 Corinthians 2:15 says ''For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.''

I absolutely love 2 Corinthians 2:15....and how it says that we are to be the aroma of Christ. God wants our lives to be so similar to that of Jesus that we are even like the aroma of Christ! That we SMELL LIKE JESUS!

Do you smell like Jesus?

-Ty

Middle School Mayhem!

This weekend myself and two other leaders are taking 9 of our middle school students up to Camp Stillwood near Cultus Lake, BC. So this morning I quickly packed my suitcase and proceeded to Costco...the sources of all good things...

24 pack of Jones Soda: Check
Extra Large pack of Twizzlers: Check
2 Tubs of Gummie Worms: Check

And we are all ready to go! First stop on our way to camp is McDonalds for that all important Grease-Bomb called Dinner, then off to a crazy weekend of caffeine, sugar, crazy games, more sugar and some sugar. Oh it's gonna be awesome!

The guest speaker this weekend is an old friend of mine: Jon Imbeau. Back in my Ladner days he was the Youth Pastor at a church in Tsawassen (the town just south of Ladner). I am stoked to hear what he will challenge our students with.

Your prayers are appreacited, and will be needed.

-Ty

6 weeks...

Did someone tape down the Fast Forward button on my freaking life?

6 weeks until my life changes forever, until I become a daddy, until I become the godly example that my kid will look to, until I become the ally that my wife will always look to for support...

Until...

There isn't a whole lot to still prep as we get closer to this kid arriving. I guess there are advantages to husband & wife both being (first born-type a) personalities. The exciting thing is we have finally figured out our boys name (NO WE WON'T TELL YOU!) So now we have a girl & boy name...depending on the gender test doctors do at birth...I even hear they have a 100% accuracy rate!

I think some of the most important life lessons I've been learning lately are:

1) Pray for this child. "Pray continuously"...as it says in 1st Thessalonians 5:17
2) READ BOOKS: Books are good...and if you have the mindset that you don't need to read, you're gonna get a swift kick in the rear when this baby arrives!
3) Support Group: Get in contact with others who are expecting/new parents. Seems like MANY of our friends are in this faze of life right now, and that's super exciting.

Oh, and I'm still looking for a store where I can purchase the "iPOOD" baby onesie. So if you know where I can get one...let me know! I think I'll wait until after the kid is born so then I can specifically get a blue/pink one.

Lastly...I think my wife is incredibly beautiful! And I am kinda jealous that she gets to be the one to "feel" all these amazing sensations of having a baby in her. Oh, though that whole "labour" part, yeah...Thanks God for making me a guy! lol.

-Ty

I'm Just a Teenager, But I'm the Church

Loved this!


We Are the Church from Southeast Student Ministry on Vimeo.

-Ty

Maybe not what Jesus meant...

Jesus in John 10:27 says "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

This might not have been what Jesus had in mind...




-Ty

Boy or Girl?

I've gone and added a straight forward poll on the sidebar of my blog.

Will "Baby-Hagan" be a boy or a girl?

TAKE YOUR BEST GUESS!

Poll ends June 1st @ 11:59pm.

-Ty

9 weeks...

Charity told me this morning that I racked up over $50 dollars in coffee purchases this last month at Tim Hortons! My only excuse was trying to win us the Toyota Venza in the RRROL UP THE RIM contest. Since I think I'm only 3/20 something I decided to grab a coffee at Starbucks today which cost me NOTHING since I had my gift card! (no that helps with the budget!)

I love you babe!

So I'm sitting here in Starbucks sipping on my Venti Vanilla Americano Misto, and realizing even more that in only 9 weeks I'm going to be a daddy. There have been thousands of thoughts that have gone through my head recently....so I decided that I should share some with you.

1) Strollers DO cost more than your car. This is an unavoidable fact made strikingly clearer by that recent McDonald's commercial. We purchased a Phil&Ted's Sport. (black & charcoal colour)

2) If you think the expenses stop at the stroller you are sorely mistaken! Babies aren't cheap (even while they're still in the womb).

3) Read Books! Since babies apparently don't come with an owners manual, invest in some quality books. Here are a few that I have found helpful. (titles hyperlink to Amazon.com)

-"Be Prepared" This book is THE BOOK for soon-to-be-dad's who have NO CLUE what they are getting into. Thanks Matt for sending me a copy!

- "Rookie Dad" This book reads more like a journal of a first-time dad. Written by David Jacobsen while he was a student at Vancouver's Regent College.

- "Becoming a Dad" Written by Stephen James & David Thomas--ok...I haven't read this one yet. It's sitting on my night-stand waiting in line to be read...soon...I keep saying to myself!

There are many more...too many in fact. Just find ones that you gravitate towards. Read Amazon's free chapter preview available on their site....and figure out if it's your style. Just whatever you do...READ!

4) Pray! I was approached by a man in my church the day he found out Charity and I were expecting and said "the most important thing you can do before this baby is born is pray for it." Those words were such an encouragement to me! So I pray for my un-born baby...knowing that God is already active in it's precious life...

Psalm 139:13-14 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well"

5) Love your wife: She is obviously "growing" but even moreso she is "growing in beauty". I will admit I am jealous of what my wife get's to experience with that baby inside of her. But what's most important is to love her. Spend time together, go on dates (before it costs you for a baby-sitter), and enjoy peace & quiet--apparently that dissapears once baby arrives!

6) Recognize that EVERYONE thinks they have some 6th-sense in discerning if you're having a boy or girl (we aren't going to find out the sex). And recognize that EVERYONE will expect you to listen to their scientifically proven methodology of figuring this out!

7) There aren't words to express the joy I am feeling for becoming a daddy! 9 weeks until my life is forever changed. I can't wait!

That's enough for now...I expect this blog to take on a somewhat different flavour once this child arrives into the world. But until then...

-Ty