Be Yourself....judge Everyone Else?

Be Yourself....Judge Everyone Else?
So this summer I went to LIFE 2010, a huge youth conference for our church denomination the CM&A ( Christian Missionary Alliance.)It was in Louisville Kentucky this year. I went three years ago to the on in Orlando Florida. Yea LIFE, If you haven't gone I recommend going next time! But anywho back to the post.

This year a young man named Bradley Hathaway was there. I had saw him three years ago. I got to admit when I saw him last time, he didn't look good. Infact he almost looked anorexic. If you don't know who Mr. Hathaway is, he is a poet who loves God. Lately he's been in the music area. He's pretty cool. So this year he was there yet again, and this time he looked really good. Infact I thought he was kindof cute :)! He's only 28 theres only a 9 year age difference haha! But seriously, he said he had started to work out a little bit, and you could tell. So this yea I decided to go to his seminar. It was called "Be Yourself." Which I thought was perfect, because sometimes I can struggle in that area. I went with my friend Brad ( Ironic, I know) and the room was PACKED! I we sat in the front on the floor because there were no chairs left. In fact Bradley had to tell them to close the doors since there was literally no room. Bradley did some of his poetry, and talked about being yourself ( Obviously.) when we were done with the seminar I was just amazed! this man was so amazing! Hes not scared to be himself. After the seminar, my friends and I were talking about him. and I was just shocked at what they were saying about him. They said that he acts a little gay, hes weird, hes not that good, so on so forth. I couldn't believe it. I was angry. Not because I thought he was "cute" but just because Bradley Hathaway doesn't meet the "worlds" standards. Mr. Hathaway really gets into his poetry which is awesome. It's how he expresses himself. He, like David, is Undignified, and It seemed no matter how much I told my friend's that they didn't get it. In fact they kind of laughed at. Mr. Hathaway doesn't care about what people think, He lives his life for God, and God only. It makes me mad, that my friends, and I'm sure other people, The "Christians" Were making fun of a man, who loves God and is just being himself. Who are they to Judge? So Should I not be myself, for fear I would be made fun of by " Christians?" my Brothers and sisters? Christ says we are brothers and sisters. Doesn't that mean Mr. Hathaway is our brother? Should we really be making fun of him? Seriously? Just because God gave him a gift, and he loves doing what he does. What I love the most about Bradley Hathaway is that he broke away from what everyone else does. Yes his poetry is different, and yes he may get really into it on stage, but you know what he has? Passion. Thats all it is. Like I said He loves what he does. I strive to be like him. Not with poetry but my life. He doesn't care what the "world" thinks. The fact that he can stand on stage in front of 7,000 people, and act the way he does, and I can barely move while I stand on stage in front of my youth group of about 60 people, thats awesome!

But Bradley Hathaway is most likely not the only person that is judged by "Christians" for being different. So remember before you Judge someone for being different,they are probably being UNDIGNIFIED for God. Like David said to his wife while dancing in the streets " I will become even more undignified then this."


-Sam

" Being Yourself isn't about being Unique. It's about being Sincere,"
- Quoted by Bradley Hathaway

Cliques and other randomness...

I think the title says it all...I HATE when everyone says High school is soooo cliquey. umm hello? Have you been out in the world? They are everywhere. They are even in Church! Church....The one place that is supposed to feel safe, and you're supposed to just be your self. Church is just as cliquey as the high school is... you can never escape them. You know things are bad, when you walk down a hall way, and some youth leaders won't even acknowledge your presence. hmm? SO tell me do we only invest in the "good kids"? What about those kids that well, aren't well behaved? or those who have graduated? Why do we just walk around and ignore people? Aren't we supposed to be the body of Christ? Why do we worry about a teenager who regularly attends Sunday School or youth group, But they miss one day, rather then worry about those teenagers who once attended Sunday School and youth group, but no longer go. Because I can name some of them. And I know Exactly why they don't go. And I really don't blame them. I think there is nothing wrong with investing in teens that have a walk with God, because they still need accountability. But what about those teens that don't? Don't pick your favorite and decide to only invest in them. What's up with that?

It took me along time to realize all of that. I was part of the "group".I know there were new kids that came to youth group, and that I said hello to, and I probably cannot tell you what their name is. I have had teens add me to facebook, and I have to ask them how do I know you? and they respond we met at youth group. Then I had to make up some lame excuse. And I wish I could go and apologize to those people, but I can't. To late now. That is the one thing I regret from High school. Because I was a " Leader" in youth group( because I was on the worship team) I lost sight of who I was. And I did the thing that I hate most.
Since I have graduated, I now understand how Miles felt at times. Church..the one place that always felt like home, doesn't anymore. I didn't think that after you graduated, you had to automatically become an adult. I don't have a Sunday school, and I have no where to go on a Wednesday night. I chose to help with the little kids because I don't want to go to the Adult Sunday School. And I chose to help with JUMP because I don't want to sit at home on a Wednesday night, and because I'm still growing in my faith..and if that means I have to go to a children's ministry on a Wednesday night, to hear more about God, then I'm going to do it..But Most of all, I love kids :) I love seeing their faces and helping them grow in their faith. I just wish there was more for me.

I was going to leave my church, and go to a church in Omaha. Which sucked, because I enjoy going to church with my mom. And the gas prices. The only reason I am now staying is because, PB asked me to do the Large group time with the little kids in Sunday School. I am totally Stoked for it. These Kids and I are going to have a blast.
Over that past few months I have learned a lot. When I become a children's pastor, I will invest in every kid that walks through that door. Even after they graduate. I don't want kids to ever think that I don't have time for them, or because they are graduated they are not important anymore. I will make a difference one way or another because I am determined to do so.
Unified diversity
Functioning as one body
Every part encouraged by the other
No one independent of another
You're irreplaceable, indispensable
You're incredible
Incredible

(Chorus)
Beautiful bride
Body of Christ
One flesh abiding
Strong and unifying
Fighting ends in forgiveness
Unite and fight all division
Beautiful bride