Heather and I sat down last night to really crank out some plans for our wedding.
This is stressful! Trust me, it's fun and more than exciting but every couple who has planned a wedding knows there is stress that comes along with it.
For me this is a chance to really grow. Honestly, it's going to stretch my faith. I trust that God is going to provide for everything including, and most importantly, the life we start together after the wedding. God has always provided for me. I have stressed tons of times throughout my life:
Am I going to make the team?
Will I get that job I've always wanted?
Will I pass that test?
Will I run out of money?
Am I doing enough?
Does God even know I'm stressed?
Yes, that last one has even caused stress. The common trend with every worry or stress I've had is that God always provides and relieves. He has NEVER, EVER, let me down.
So what am I worried about?
After all he has given me the most incredible woman in the world to pursue and love like He loves the church. He has given me plenty of thoughts to keep my mind from stress, for example: "What does she see in me?" :)
God is about to stretch the faith of two people who are growing and maturing in life, love, and ministry.
I can't wait to look back years down the road and thank God for providing in the times we stressed. I also can't wait to look back and laugh at what we thought was stressful.
Luv Is A Verb,
Shane
PS-Yeah, I really signed off with a DC Talk song title. How you like them apples?
Shane Sanchez
Matthew Paul Turner is a genius. He may have one of the funniest blogs I read on a daily basis. This recent post and it's predecessor have made my day. I want them to do the same for you.
Warning: If you're a rockstar that doubles as a worship leader prepare to be destroyed.
Check them out:
"You Might Be a Christian Rockstar..."
"You Might Be a Christian Rockstar... (Part 2)"
Get a Haircut,
Shane
Warning: If you're a rockstar that doubles as a worship leader prepare to be destroyed.
Check them out:
"You Might Be a Christian Rockstar..."
"You Might Be a Christian Rockstar... (Part 2)"
Get a Haircut,
Shane
Shane Sanchez
I hope I'm a better speaker than this.
Have you ever been to a church and walked out with the same look that's on your face now?
Speaking takes work, that's why you practice.
If she looks ridiculous at a town council meeting how bad can a pastor look at his own church.
Know your stuff, practice, and please use coherent sentences.
Ever Heard of Toastmasters?
-Shane
Shane Sanchez
I am so thankful to be a part of a great church.
I have only been at PFA for about 5 months, but it has already been an incredibly experience.
Here are some reasons why:
The pastoral staff is comprised of incredible men and woman of God that are truly devoted to His purpose.
Pastor Tommy Barnett is THE MAN! Seriously, I have never met anyone like him. He's truly a GREAT pastor and man of God.
ThreeSixty youth is full of planet shaking students.
The people here have embraced Heather and I as if we have attended for years.
The worship teams melt faces every service.
The prayer pavilion may be the coolest spot on the planet.
Most importantly, God's presence shows up and takes control of every detail. The faith of Pastor Tommy and the rest of the staff allows for real life change and a place where the Holy Spirit is expected to move and move intensely.
I am proud to be a part of such an incredible church.
I encourage you to plug into a local church. Find one that makes you feel at home but constantly shakes up your spirit. Find a church that cares more about people than popularity. Most importantly, find a church where you can get involved and serve others like they first served you.
Go To Church,
Shane
Shane Sanchez
As technology and social capabilities grow, the chances of a church service engaging someone's attention seems to fall.
This scares the crap out of me.
I'm not even a youth pastor yet and I sometimes worry that students could care less about church. I don't know what I will do the first time I can hear a full blown conversation going on while I'm preaching. I won't know how to react when a kid answers his phone during a service. I sure as heck won't know how to react if I can hear a kids music playing over the video on the screen.
Now I pray and hope to have an incredible team of leaders someday that will defuse these situations before I explode, but it still concerns me. It concerns me because technology never stops growing, friends never stop talking, parents never stop calling during service, and students will always have short attention spans.
I never want a youth service to feel like it's doing it's best to compete with what's outside the walls of the church. I believe that mindset results in cheesy presentation and superficial spirituality. I want a youth service that grabs hold of students and takes them from every struggle and care they face in the world and sets them on the lap of the Creator. I want a service that is led completely by the Holy Spirit but still connects with today's culture. I want the videos, interactive worship, incredible presentations, and life changing message; but I want it all to come from the Heart.
I believe that is the kind of service that grabs God's attention.
21 “I can’t stand your religious meetings.
I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions.
22 I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
your pretentious slogans and goals.
I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
23 I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
When was the last time you sang to me?" (Amos 6//Message)
Always Growing,
Shane
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