He Kept My Coin


Shane Sanchez
So I was searching for a video to incorporate into our youth service yesterday and stumbled upon some of my favorite videos of all time. They come from Vintage 21 church in North Carolina. Many of you have seen these videos but watch this one again and enjoy some laughs:



Even though this video is hilarious it kind of gets you thinking...

What have we done to Jesus? Aren't a lot of the humorous parts of this video perceptions that the unChristian world has of our Savior? Don't we sometimes portray a Christian life as walking on eggshells instead of living in His mercy and grace? Shouldn't we be more concerned with relationship than trying to impress God with our money, clothes, and "knowledge". I mean, think about it, nothing we have is something He doesn't.

What can you do to clarify Christ to a unChristian world?

P.S.-We need to entertain our creator as well, be creative people! Jesus first line in the video almost had me rolling on the floor but it's tone is something I never want to hear from my Creator. But that's for another post...

I Wish I Had A Holy Donkey,
Shane
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God's Applause


Shane Sanchez
I read something this morning in 2 Timothy 4 that ran me straight in to a brick wall.

"This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause!..." 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (The Message)

If you're a leader does that hit you where it counts?

I want to focus on the last part of that passage during this post. Paul is describing his life and says that through it all the only thing he has left to hear are God's compliments.

"Wait a second Paul. You mean to tell me that's it? Nobody is going to recognize you here on Earth? You won't be asked to speak at any conferences? You won't get walked up to after service and told what a great job you did? You won't be featured in a magazine interview? Man, you must not be that great."

We all know that is absolutely not true. Many believe Paul was the most influential and world changing leader of the Christian faith. We still read from and about him today.

So why do we live differently than he did? I believe that in this passage he is describing one of his greatest personality traits. He could care less if people complimented his work, all he cared about was God's opinion.

We as leaders tend to look past God's opinion and seek the opinions of others way too often. We aren't working for other people. We want the awards, compliments, and privileges of being great in the eyes of other people, but does what they say really define us as great? NO! It means that we are great at fooling people into thinking we are important. God's message is important, His purpose is what makes us great.

If we are looking for approval we need to look to God. He defines our greatness. He tells us when and where we need to be. His compliments, encouragement, and invitations to greatness are the only ones that last beyond this world.

We need to stop viewing ourselves through the filters of others and instead be anticipating "God's applause".

Who Do You Work For?
-Shane
Category: 2 comments

Do Something


Shane Sanchez
We have all stiffed the poor. We all care more about ourselves than those around us. We are all greedy.

Whoa, got your attention I hope. Just to clarify, we aren't all these things all the time (some people may be), but we have all been convicted of these charges at one point or another.

Do you ever struggle with the fact that some people are deciding what their next big purchase will be while they drive by people sleeping on the streets?

I don't get it. AT ALL.

I know that I am guilty of not giving enough and supplying my needs before those of others, but I don't understand how we as Americans can look past the needs of others.

I see this firsthand constantly and not just in my own life. I work with professional athletes. I've seen some decide which $15,000 wristwatch to buy and then ignore the needs of those around them. I've watched some roll in on $10,000 rims and then stiff those who supply their needs. I'm not saying that the rich are the only guilty ones but I am saying that they are the most capable of stopping poverty. And before you think you're off the hook, rich doesn't just mean professional athlete rich. I'm talking Americans who drive more than one car, live in houses, own a cell phone, and have a meal everyday. We are all rich compared to the struggling world around us

We ALL have the responsibility to do something.

Please, take the time today to help someone who is not as financially stable as you are. Whether it's lending your talents or gifts, rolling down your window and giving them that extra burger you bought at lunch, donating money to your cause of choice, or meeting the request of someone in your church. Do something that will not only change their life, but will also revamp yours.

Give Freely,
Shane
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Too Blessed To Be Stressed! (Barf!)


Shane Sanchez
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?
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My 2 Favorite Blog Post (in the last 30 min.)


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
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The Machine Can Make It For Us


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
0 comments

Looking Back Early


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

2 comments

I ♥ Service


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
Category: 1 comments

I Live For...Who?


Shane Sanchez
"I live for You"

We sing this in our worship songs, we pray these words, we even declare them in front of other people. But how often do we really "live for God"?

I honestly feel like this simple yet world changing phrase is diving to a whole different level of understanding in my own life. I believe that as Christians, this is the statement we just don't fully grasp. When we accept salvation we don't just receive a "Been Forgiven" stamp on our foreheads and get sent back into the world. We "give our lives to Christ". Literally we are telling God that everything we are belongs to Him. That in our actions, words, lifestyles, and influence we will strive to please God. We commit to His purpose like the disciples did so many years ago. We are saying that our life purpose now moves from our will to His.

We are committing that through pain, struggles, weakness, and even death we are devoted to Him.

I want to live my life this way.

After all it's not my life anymore, but the life He has always wanted me to have.

What does it mean to give your life to Christ?

Live Devoted,
Shane

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This Doesn't Happen...


Shane Sanchez
I have always wondered why God doesn't speak to me the way I want Him to. I want tongues of fire, a loud booming voice from heaven, the arch Angel would even work too. To my disarray all of those have yet to happen. My expectations lead me to ask why I even want that in the first place.

I feel that when I focus on wanting the preacher to have a "word" specifically for me or waiting for someone to "share what's on their heart" I take my eyes and ears off of God. I am starting to believe that He speaks to us in the exact opposite way that we expect. It seems like when we put our attention on someone anticipating them to speak a word, God is speaking in the most subtle ways.

I have wanted one of those moments so bad for the majority of my Walk and today I finally received it. Both in the form of someone sharing a word and in someone encouraging me. The thing is, in contrary to normality, I didn't expect it. It was one of the few times I can remember where I wasn't hoping for God to be so direct. I would have rather He ignored me and got back to me later. Instead He gave me the opposite. He knew how He could grab my attention and bring it back to Him.

This experience has challenged me to expect the unexpected. To let God speak to me the way He wants to instead of how I think would work best.

After all He's God and I'm Shane. Who am I to question how He wants to talk?

Shut Up and Listen,
Shane
1 comments

"How Are You Going to Change The World"


Shane Sanchez
I am pluggin another blog today. Head to i-heart.org and see what this Non-profit out of Hillsong Church is doing to revamp the world:

Hello vast I-HEART community!

We hope you’re each personally doing really well… as for us – we’re falling off out seats with anticipation with both our website and doco being released in what seems like no time at all… We trust you’ve been watching this blog ‘IN THE MEANTIME’...? Hope so. There’s no doubt that with hearts as one, when we’re all in this together, we can really change the world.

Just titles?? – I think not.

SO >> We thought we’d ask you the question >>

How are you going to change the world?

Because when we all do our bit, all our bits add up to something BIG. And that’s I-HEART. It’s a movement that’s happening right now; My bit + your bit + their bit.

Call this email request what you will… an experiment maybe… and we’re all scientists… but WE WANT TO KNOW – and we want to make BIG news of it -- How are you going to change the world? Take a photo of yourself – with your answer written on aa piece of A4 – nice and clear – and email it to us! Simple.

It could be anything from “show love”... or... “forgive my aunt” to “start an organisation that rescues child soldiers”... or... “feed the homeless”… Whatever rings true for you. And that’s the thing – It’s all of us all doing our own part – no matter what the size… Each of our parts matter more than we could possibly know.

With these photos we’re going to inspire each other through this blog and in a few weeks we’re going to make a BIG installation to make a BIG statement on what is possible when we all work together…

You’ll also be in the running to feature on our I-HEART screen savers and such to be released later this year… + we think they wouldn’t be the same without you.

Just email your pic* to thepeople@i-heart.org with your first name and country by July 1st – But the sooner the better really.

We truly can’t wait to see all your faces,
Karla @ I-HEART

This is something that "I Heart Revolution" out of Hillsong Church has been doing for the past week or so. Check out their blog and see some of the incredible pictures they've received. I wanted to share this because I simply love what they are doing. We are ONE Church, ONE people, with ONE purpose: impacting this world for Jesus Christ. Check out what some people are doing to make this happen.


Me, I'm in the process of sending mine. Keep checking their blog and see if it goes up.


Revamp Your World,

Shane


0 comments

La Vida


Shane Sanchez
Have you realized how fun it is to be alive.

I know that if you are going through a tough time you may struggle with this concept.

Think about it though...

We get to walk this giant ball of mass that is floating in the middle of a galaxy in the middle of the universe. The funny part is, that's just part of everyday life. We get to enjoy the talents of others and experience new situations every day. We are constantly changing, growing, and learning; whether we think we are or not. We get to enjoy nature which returns the favor by giving us the essentials for life. We get to interact with different personalities everyday. Some we like, some we don't, but all are completely unique. Not a single one of us is a carbon copy of someone else. We are all individuals that make up the human race.

All this and we haven't even began to talk about God yet. He made all of this and delights in what we do.

We have incredible lives. In tough times times focus on the little things. The air, the creativity of humans, and the God who took the time to make it all.

Revamp You World,
Shane
1 comments

Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!


Shane Sanchez
Remember the old playground tale "blah and blah sitting in a tree k.i.s.s.i.n.g., first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage." I know, I know that sounds a little out of date. That's because it is...

According to the National Center for Health Statistics:

"Nearly half (45%) of the 6.4 million pregnancies in 2004 occurred among unmarried women, so the typical "unwed mother" is no longer a teen but, in fact, an older woman."

This bothers me and hopefully you too.

Why can't this be fixed. Why can't men be men and be responsible for their choices. Marry the woman they conceived with and raise their child. Why can't woman learn to say no? Why can't they see themselves as Gods beautiful creation meant only for the one they marry? (Now, I know that in cases of sexual abuse the situation is obviously different)

We can all be the catalyst in the change of this statistic. Men can be responsible men, woman can be woman of self confidence, and we can all get back to our playground values.

After all...

"First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage."

Revamp Statistics,
Shane
6 comments

I Can Relate


Shane Sanchez
Story of my life...


Now go, take that and apply it to life. I don't know how (I really just wanted you to laugh), but somehow, find substance.

Stupid Toy Guitars,
Shane
0 comments

WWJHD?


Shane Sanchez
Something is bothering me...

I just can't let it go...

I feel like I made a nagging mistake and it really wasn't that big of a deal.

Or was it?

Ok, I went to the coffee shop late last night after service and I ran into my entire graduating class (literally, ok not literally, only like 795 people in the figurative). I ran into a couple girls that I had known for the majority of my life and a group of guys that I had known for a long time as well.

The girls and I just small talked, but the guys were different.

We started talking about life, where it was headed and where it had been. It was a great conversation but I really had work to do so there wasn't much time. They asked me to have a seat with them but I quickly turned it down letting them know that "I have some stuff I really need to work on".

What my "stuff" really that important?

Of course it was! I didn't lie to them, but I think that my choice to walk away was a HUGE mistake. It's sounds über cliché (I don't even know if I'm allowed to use those words together) but I couldn't stop thinking "what would Jesus have done?". It haunted me! I almost stopped working at my table at least 5 times because I was drawn to their table.

They opened up the door for me to have a chance to connect. These were people that mean a lot to me. People who's futures I care about and for some reason I eluded that chance. It would have been easy to toss it off as a "maybe next time" situation, but what if there isn't a next time. What if this was my shot to connect and let them know that the Shane they knew in High School and the Shane that has an intimate relationship with Christ are different people.

I hope that you take advantage of opportunities. That your busy agenda never gets in the way of people.

If you guys are reading this and I didn't sit with you, I owe you a coffee.

Maybe It's Just Me,
Shane
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