Josh Harris: Self Control


Shane Sanchez
This is a video of Pastor Josh Harris (Senior Pastor Covenant Life Church, Author) that I pulled from his blog. In the video he illustrates the issue of self control in one of the most relevant ways I have seen so far. This definitely opened my eyes and challenged me to pray for help in this area and any other area I may miss.


This is so perfect for where we are today. I don't care if you are a church leader, school teacher, student, or business mogul, if you are in relationship with God there is a pretty good chance you get distracted by technology.

What are other activities that surpass our self control?

-Shane
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That Something


Shane Sanchez
What attribute of God do you love the most?

What is it about Him that grabs ahold of you and doesn't let go?

Lately for me it's been His vastness. I read Psalms 111 recently and it has quickly become one of my favorite Psalms. I read a Message devotional and the way a couple of the verses are translated describe the attributes currently on the forefront of my heart:

God’s works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment! (v2)

Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true: (v8)

He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He’s so personal and holy, worthy of our respect. (v9)

These verses describe the current state of my heart. I have had a commitment to studying Him lately that totally goes against my education track record. I enjoy Bible College, I love sitting down and wrestling with scripture, and I constantly read other "Christian" material. I can't get enough of God study right now. I have never been into any of the prior listed forms of study but as I continue to find something new about God each day, my enjoyment of studying is growing.

I am also amazed with the relevance of God and His Word. Many times we lose sight of the fact that God's Word stands forever. It's for the ancient people as much as it is for today's world. The Bible was put together with us in mind. It's not like God inspired The Word and then went "O shoot, these humans are sticking around longer than I thought". He was thinking about each of us when He inspired the Word. He wanted to make sure that what was going to be recorded in the Bible would apply to every individual that takes the time to read it. God's Word is always relevant and can solve the world's problems, even today.

If you don't already, I encourage you to READ! Read your Bible. Pray about what you read, wrestle with what you read, read commentaries, allow God to speak to you through His most obvious form. As you read I also encourage you to find the attributes of God that stick out to you. He is amazing in all His ways but there are going to be some attributes of His persona that fuel your passions and make you who you are. As you begin to understand The Creator you begin to better understand yourself. Remember, we're made in His image (Genesis 1:27).

-Shane
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Where You're Headed


Shane Sanchez
Is your life crazy right now?

Do you have deadlines to meet, projects to work on, studying to do, personal items to deal with, people to invest time in?

I think most of us would answer yes to all of those.

I know personally, right now is one of my craziest times in a long time. I have A LOT going on. The baseball season just ended so I am starting a new offseason job, Heather and I are in the middle of planning a wedding, I am actively pursuing youth ministry, I am a full time student, and I have friends that I am investing in. This is one of the busiest times of my life, but it is also the BEST!

Yeah, I have had some pretty stressed out moments, but when I come down of that emo high, I realize that I am right where God wants me to be.

I can't make everyone happy, I can't always spend time with everyone I want to, I have to lose sleep in order to finish homework, and I am investing in a wedding, but nonetheless I am working towards the life that God wants me to live.

I am confident that through all my commitments and schedules God is at the center of everything. The time I spend with Him each day is the only way I keep a level head. He encourages me and seems to add extra hours to my day. He knows exactly where I am and as I am faithful He provides.

Are you where you need to be?

Is your stress a means of slowing you down to refocus on the goals God has put in place for your life?

I know their are some busy people reading this right now...

Are you doing the right things?

-Shane
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People Over Programming


Shane Sanchez
Is it hard to work with your church?

If you are a church leader I really want you to think about that for a second.

Is your church harder to do business with than a secular company.

A church is obviously a place where believers connect and fellowship but it is also a house for many other events. People rent churches out for conventions, weddings, funerals, graduation ceremonies, etc.

Why is it that sometimes working with the venue down the street is easier than working with the church around the corner?

I understand there are bills to pay, pay checks to write, and costly time, but shouldn't it be easier for a person to walk in a negotiate with a church than it is to rent out the reception hall a mile away?

As some of you know my fiancée and I are currently planning a wedding and I don't want this to come off as a shot at any church. It's not at all, we have had a great experience with our church helping us in a variety of ways. I was just honestly plowing through this thought when this post came to mind.

I just pray that church leaders would have a heart that constantly reminds them of their never ceasing witness. People are always looking for compassion from the church. I understand it's sometimes hard to work around an already set schedule to allow an outside event to use your building, but we should never act like it's an inconvenience. People need to know that a church is a place that wants to provide for the needs of the community, especially when it comes to some of their most important occasions. We are to be a witness, we are to love the fact that people want to hold their event at the church we lead. We need to feel privileged at the idea that someone was attracted to something about what we do as a church. Everything we do needs to glorify God. We need to act as He would.

After all, it's His church not ours.

PS-I totally understand priorities. They are set for a reason. I am talking about details. There need not be a struggle between what a person needs and what the church will help them with. Jesus prioritized people before programming.

That's my opinion, but what is yours? Let me know what you think.

-Shane
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Stop Eating Vomit


Shane Sanchez
How could I be so stupid?

Why in the world would I do that?

Can I ever fix this?

Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Do you ask yourself these questions on a regular basis? I know I have. I have struggled with sin, to say the least. We all have. I don't really understand why sin is so enticing. I don't grasp how it captivates us and causes us to make completely irrational decisions. There is no reason why we constantly repeat sins that have controlled us for weeks, months, even years.

Sinning repetitively is like playing Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun. We will lose every time we pull the trigger. Also like Russian Roulette, every time we sin death is waiting to take us down. I'm not talking about a physical death, I'm talking about a numbness that leads to a place of eternal death.

Would you say that when you struggle with a certain sin after a while it becomes easier and easier to do without thought? I believe that it's because every time we repeat a sin we are adding a brick to the wall that blocks conviction. The Spirit wants to bring us freedom but as we reject it we walk further and further away from Him.

This is an extremely bad situation to be in.

But...

There is a solution to the issue of repetitive sin.

One, would be to accept Christ as your personal savior, confess of your sins and be made new. This is definitely a life changing experience and if you haven't already done so I encourage you to pursue the freedom of salvation.
Two, would be to find accountability. Find someone who will ask you the tough questions. I'm not talking about your girlfriend or the coworker who parties with you. I'm talking about someone you look up to and can trust to stay on you. You need someone who will pray for you and help you through your struggles.
Third, PRAY! Pray all the time. Pray constantly and earnestly for freedom. I know myself and countless others who will tell you that prayer is the key to destroying sin. God has freed me from stuff that took months of prayer to pull through. When I say pray, I mean it. Give it everything you have. In your moments of struggle cry out, don't be afraid to get real with God. Confess your sins to Him and watch Him begin to pull you out of your rut.

"As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his foolishness." (Proverbs 26:11 NLT)

I don't know why I felt I needed to share this today but I know that no matter what it will serve as a reminder to everyone who reads it. God is there, He is always helping us. He wants to see us live a free and purposeful life. And I can tell you that when you embrace His freedom, you experience life on a whole different level.

Be Free,
Shane
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Be Salty


Shane Sanchez
We are God's greatest creation.

Think about it. Not a one of us is the same as another. We all have different personalities, styles, physical attributes, and abilities.

We really are the salt of the Earth. We spice things up with who we are.

In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless." I believe He wants us to season the Earth who we are. He wants us to embrace our differences and excel in the areas that He has made us strong.

The second part of the verse clarifies our purpose. We are not on this Earth to be a carbon copy of the person we admire the most. We shouldn't be boring people. We need to constantly be dreaming, innovating, working, and praying so that we can be used by our Creator. God wants to use each and everyone of us. He gives us our quirks, personalities, fashion sense, and talents for a reason. He doesn't judge you based on where you shop, what hobbies interest you, or what your pet peeves are. What he cares about is how you use them to share His love with other people.

What makes you differnt, makes you special. He did that on purpose. So embrace your personality, your gifts, and your interest, as long as they are pleasing to Him chances are you will be living the life He wants you to live.

Love Who You Are,
Shane
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Welcome To ThreeSixty


Shane Sanchez
Our video genius (@godztek on twitter) made this video as our welcome to service kick off. Last night we played it after worship, to the avail of claps and shouts of students. They loved it, and I don't think it's just because it looked cool but because it's who we are as a youth ministry. I'm proud to be a part of a place like ThreeSixty.

Check out the video:


-Shane

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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
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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
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