Discipleship - a Way of Life

At the close (somewhere around October) of an old year transitioning into the ushering of a new year, I often put myself through a life assessment process. I do not go through an interview process or a questionnaire to help me recognize what areas I need to grow in; however, I spend time fasting, praying, and reflecting on the old year. During that time of spiritual rejuvenation, I beg God to reveal my weaknesses.

Quite frankly and with utmost honesty, I've been a disciple of Jesus on a part-time basis. I realize in my life that I've been following Jesus ONLY when it is convenient. Therefore, I'm empowering myself to dig deep in the year of 2011 and find out what does discipleship really mean and what does it look like. By the way, discipleship isn't a full-time or a part-time job, but it is a lifestyle.

Brice Point: I don't want people to see me as "Steven, a man" but as "Steven a Disciple."

Please don't throw a stone at me, I'm trying to encourage somebody :)

Year 2011 focus:

Theme: Discipleship - a Way of Life

Purpose: To simply study discipleship so that I will embrace discipleship as my lifestyle and actively engage in making other disciples of Jesus Christ.

Growth Goals (My Discipleship)
1. Read the entire Bible
2. Exhaustive study on discipleship (with the Bible)
3. Read books on discipleship (any recommendations??)
4. Any more ideas???

Growth Goals (Making Disciples)
To share the Love of God to five (5) plus individuals. (I have a list)
In terms of making disciples, I've learned that my job is to simply share the love of God.

I encourage all of us to not repeat yesterday on today. Alicia, my good friend and beloved sister would put it like this: "Forget a new years resolution!! Let's get our life right, right now!!! :-D LET'S GO!!!"

P.S her blog is coming soon - STAY TUNED!

Don't just have a new year, but Make it a New Year.

Peace ~ The Young Lion

Tis' the Season to be Jolly

As our society designates this time of the year to be joyful, thankful, and giving, I encourage all to have this spirit as a part of their character. We shouldn't’ wait for a holiday season to be joyful, thankful and giving. This world can be so much of a better place if we all decide to be joyful, thankful, and giving naturally instead of seasonally.

Personally: I can’t help but to be happy when I think about what God has done for me. I get so much joy because no one can do me like Jesus.

Enjoy my beautiful little sis as she sings about the Joy she gets when she thinks about what God has done for her.

~ Make a Holiday Happy and be bless,

Steven, The Young Lion


P.S
"The best gift was wrapped in a manger" #valueChrist

Food for Thought - A Humble Approach to Applying the Bible

I got this pretty neat illustration from the Crenshaw church of Christ bulletin.


Wear these 'Mitts' when Studying

AD-MITT
The truth of the Bible

SUB-MITT

To its teaching

COM-MITT

It to memory

TRANS-MITT
It to others "





For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." ~ Hebrews 4:12 (New Living Translation)

An Application from Receiving a D

As embarrassing as this may seem, this maybe one of the most valuable lessons I've learned within my educational career. I hope and pray that you will view this as a valuable thought.

Prior to taking this midterm, I've diligently seeked to memorize all the key terms and concepts of the course materials. I've studied all through the day, spending countless hours drilling myself in memorizing the terms and concepts.
When the day of the test had arrived, my memorization skills were about to be tested. After completing the exam, I wasn't as confident as one would normally feel when taking a test; however, for some reason I thought I passed anyway.

The following week, the test results were turn in and I realized that I didn't pass, but I received a D. At this moment, my heart was saddened and I wanted to leave the class and go home. While the professor proceeded to review the exam, I kept on asking myself: "when was the last time I failed an exam? why is this happening to me? I thought I memorized all the key terms and concept, so where did I go wrong?"

After class, I drove home in silence feeling sad, hopeless and unaccomplished. I felt like I would never become a straight A student. After experiencing sadness for a couple of minutes, I knew I needed to start re-evaluating my situation. Therefore, I asked myself a tough question: what did I do wrong?

After a few minutes of thinking and praying, I realized that all these years my study habits has led me to receive temporal satisfaction instead of long-lasting results. My study habits consisted of MEMORIZING the materials instead of me UNDERSTANDING the materials. Some of the questions that was presented on the test would only be successfully answered by an individual who understood the materials.



Brice Point:
Though memorization can help one receive a passing grade, it is the understanding of the materials that will lead one to everlasting results and confidence.



Spiritual Application:
All of us go through different storms in life and it is within those storms where we are tested on our faith. Our faith is based on our knowledge and it make sense for us to study before the test. Memorizing scripture is beneficial; however, it is the understanding of what the Word of God teaches that will help us as children of God to be confident in the Word while going through the fire.





"The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation)." ~ Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified Translation)

The Awakening By Sonny Carroll

A Lengthy but well needed read..

Shout outs and thanks to Keri Smith :) Checkout her blog: http://kerijam.blogspot.com/

The Awakening

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...
When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you
stop dead in your tracks and somewhere, the voice
inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying, or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes, you begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening...

You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella and that in the real world, there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and in the process, a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and in the process, a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties and in the process, a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look and how much you should weigh, what you should wear and where you should shop and what you should drive, how and where you should live and what you should do for a living, who you should marry and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive and that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything; it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love; and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms, just to make you happy.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up."

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right, to want things and to ask for the things that you want and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you, to glorify you with his touch and in the process, you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest. Just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul; so you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that for the most part in life, you get what you believe you deserve and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen, is different from working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time; FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears, because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear, is to give away the right to live life on your terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers; it's just life happening.

You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state; the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted; things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind, and you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

Purpose For My Preaching

Preaching is one of the most frustrating and excited activities in my life. Many attempt the function and role of preaching and recognize the high level of responsibility that is placed upon them as they speak for God.

A preacher dives into the word of God CONSTANTLY striving to hear God speak to him, while preparing him (the preacher) to speak to the people. Can you imagine speaking the very words of God? Can you imagine the fear of mistakenly twisting and misinterpreting the word of God? It is unbelievably frightening to actually be a spokesman for God.

Many ask then, “Why preach? Why put yourself in that position?” Well I can’t answer that question for anyone else, but I can surely think of why I walk up to the pulpit, open up the text, explain the thoughts, share possible applications, and make a plead for repentance.

My Purpose for My Preaching

"To reverently & passionately explain the Word of God in a simplistic fashion so that it will be viewed and embraced as relevant while promoting change."

Reverence & Passion
My reverence & passion for preaching comes from my personal study of the Word of God. When I open up His word and see for myself the beauties and disciplines of His thoughts towards me, it always challenges me to live out my salvation with a sense of respect toward God, the Sovereign Lord. Philippians 2:12

Simplistic Delivery
I believe that preaching in its delivery shouldn't’t be complex. Though I'm aware that there are some passages and topics that maybe difficult to explain and deliver, I believe that the overall communication of the Word of God must be clear. People already have second thoughts about reading the Bible because of the idea that the Bible is too complex and hard to understand. When a preacher explains the Word of God in a simple fashion, it often motivates a listener to dig in for themselves. “Whew! If he can do it, I know I can.”

View & Embraced
With simplicity comes an opportunity for someone to see clearly. When the thoughts of God are simple, you can’t help but to see it. When an individual is able to understand the message, then it will create an opportunity for someone to embrace the beauties and disciplines of the Word.

Relevant
I believe relevance is one of the main keys to attracting an audience to a message. To keep it simple: if you’re not relevant, then there’s no reason to listen. In other words, if the preacher isn’t talking to me, it’s a good opportunity to catch a nap.
Promoting Change
When God speaks, it is a time of rejoicing but most importantly a time where God desires to fix you. It’s within the sharing of the Word of God where God operates. Within the preaching and teaching of His word, God opens you up to yourself, exposes the bacteria in your life, help you remove the disease, fills you up with His Word, patches you up with hope and faith and places you on a firmer foundation.

Though preaching may often create emotional and mental insecurities, I'm reminded of what Paul shares with the church in Rome:

"But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!'" Romans 10:14-15 (New Living Translation)


.

Peace ~ The Young Lion

Brice Thought

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up" ~ Thomas Edison


Keep running, keep pushing and finish well.

Peace ~ The Young Lion

Appreciating the Now

Sometimes in life with our desires, ambitions & commitments to be successful, we often forget to value and appreciate the different developmental stages of our lives. Yes I'm totally supportive of the fact that young people need to know where they are going and also be on the right track to accomplish their goals; however, even at a young age, those are the years where they have the opportunities to enjoy things that they won't be able to enjoy later on in life.

I will not get into the different developmental stages of the human life, but I do want to stay this: Yes, focus on the goals you have in life and be diligent, but do not forget to enjoy, and appreciate the different developmental levels of your life. If you choose not to, then you may grow older saying: "I wish that I would of taken the opportunity to go out to the park and play with my friends." Get my drift?

I'll leave you with this last thought that Bro. Ernest Hodridge, one of the Elders of the Cedar Crest church of Christ shared with me:


"Let the child be a child before making him a man."



"You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your hearts give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." Ecclesiastes 11:9 (Today's New International Version)

Brice Thought

When someone repairs an object with a screw driver, normally we praise the man instead of the tool. God is the Man, I'm the tool. Give glory to God, not the tool. ~ The Young Lion

Free yourself from the Cage!

Many today are STUCK in the past. Past events that once was and now it dead. Our minds have been consumed with dead things, dead places, dead times, dead events and even (without being insensitive) dead people. This blog isn't design to be a psychology report on how many individuals are stuck in the past; however, it is design to Empower, Encourage and Enlighten many to admit that yesterday was the past, today is a new day and tomorrow has greater opportunities.

The two main reasons why people are stuck in their past is due to guilt and regret. All of us have done some things that we are most certainly ashamed of. Even while I type this blog, I'm shaking my head because I'm reminded of some of the foolish things I've done.

I've learned that a possible solution to freeing myself from my past comes from a decision that I must make within myself. President Obama puts it like this:

"You can't let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you."

One of the keywords I notice within the above statement is: let.
The term "let" within this statement brings about action, control, and even authority.

Our past is dead and we need to let ourselves be free to experience today's new day and tomorrow's great opportunities. What will a negative past experience do for you while in a position of guilt and regrets? Our past is designed to teach us what we should not do on today and tomorrow. We have the authority and control to move on in life. Whatever is put to death, doesn't have life. When something or someone doesn't have life, it doesn't have power nor the potential or opportunity to grow. Sometimes the only reason why the past is alive is because we put breath within its nostrils. Whereby resulting in missing out on the opportunities that life may bring. Many would say that "History is suppose to repeat itself." I beg to differ: History is our lesson and the future is available to do and be better.

So I encourage all those who may be stuck in the pits of regrets and guilt, to FREE yourself from the Cage. Don't free the past, but bury it and move on.

I leave with this thought:
Who you are today is applications of the things you have learned yesterday.

Keep living, Keep learning and keep growing!

Peace ~ The Young Lion

An illustration of Being Blessed by the Son

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas,

There was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands..

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'

There was silence...


Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'

But the auctioneer persisted.. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'

Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'


But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'


Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

'We have $10, who will bid $20?'

'Give it to him for $10.. Let's see the masters.'

The crowd was becoming angry.. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'

A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings?'

'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will.... I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.


The man who took the son gets everything!'


God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'


Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.



FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Why - Michael Card

Fred Yarbough, one of the Associate Ministers and Elders of the Cedar Hill church of Christ shared a lesson entitled "Why" last Sunday (July 4th, 2010). He began his lesson by reading the lyrics of Michael Card's song entitled Why. The lyrics was thought-provoking and I thought it would be nice to share with you the lyrics and even a video of the song that I've found on YouTube. Enjoy!

Why By Michael Card

Why did It have to be a friend, Who chose to betray the Lord
Why did he use a kiss to show them, That’s not what a kiss is for
Only a friend can betray a friend, A stranger has nothing to gain
And only a friend comes close enough, To ever cause so much pain

And why did there have to be a thorny, Crown pressed upon His head
It should have been the royal one, Made of jewels and gold instead
It had to be a crown of thorns, Because in this life that we live
For all who seek to love, A thorn is all the world has to give

And why did it have to be, A heavy cross He was made to bare
And why did they nail His feet and hands, His love would have held Him there
It was a cross for on a cross, A thief was supposed to pay
And Jesus had come into the world, To steal every heart away
Yes, Jesus had come into the world, To steal every heart away

Choosing the right Associates - Part 2

Two blogs ago, we looked at some of the characteristics of wise and foolish individuals. Now I would like to briefly share some of the reputations of those who are wise and those who are unwise. Be enlightened!

Proverbs 10:13 - Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but fools will be punished with a rod. (New Living Translation)

Proverbs 14:18 - The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge. (New American Standard Bible)

Proverbs 29:8 - Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but those who are wise will calm anger. (New Living Translation)

Reputation of a Wise Person
1. Admired as Counselors
2. Rewarded with more knowledge
3. Create Peace

Reputation of a Foolish Person
1. Beaten as a slave
2. Seen as a fool
3. Creates altercations


Who will you allow to be apart of your life?

When I say I am a Christian

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

~ by Maya Angelou

Choosing the right Associates - Part 1

Proverbs 13:20 - "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." (New Living Translation)

It doesn't matter how strong and confident one may believe themselves to be, everybody need relationships. God in fact created man to be relational. After God created the earth and the animals, He observed Adam and made a profound proclamation: "It is not good for man to be alone..." (Genesis 2:18 - New American Standard Bible).

This series, however isn't design to share tips on what to look for when seeking a intimate partner. But the purpose of this series is to share with the readers of this blog some words of wisdom concerning some of the characteristics, reputations and results of associating with wise and foolish people. We will explore these essential, simple and vital points in short series.

Let explore five main characteristics of a wise/foolish person.

There are five key proverbs I would like to pin point:

Proverbs 15:14 - A Wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

Proverbs 17:24 - Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 10:23 - Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.

Proverbs 14:6 - A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

Proverbs 10:21 - The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

A wise person:
*is hungry for the truth - Has an attitude of learning

*is focused on their goal - desire to be successful

*has fun living positively - life is much better living clean

*accepts and appreciate wisdom - it's good to have a friend who doesn't think they have it all together

*give good advice - don't you need someone like that in your corner?

A Foolish person:
*Feeds on a foolish meal - Does a nasty, unprepared meal taste good?

*wanders aimlessly - Do you want to be associated with someone who isn't trying to go anywhere in life?

*Enjoys foolishness - Who really want to get in trouble in these days and times?

*Mock wisdom - When you're trying to do what is right, it can be discouraging when your friends laugh at you

*Lack of common sense - Ignorance isn't an excuse when you're trying to elevate yourself and overcome obstacles. Associates need to know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.

Of course there are many more characteristics; however, I thought these five were some of the most important thoughts to share with you. It is up to you to make the decision on the kind of people you want in your corner.


What are you trying to do in life? Whatever it maybe, you need to have the RIGHT associates in your corner!

Feel free to post any more characteristics that you feel is important to consider...



~ Peace the Young Lion

It isn't about having a New Year, but about having a New Mind

One of the most dangerous things that can and will occur in life is stagnation. Life isn’t about being stagnant, but is about growing. Growing: spiritually, purposefully, mentally, and physically, emotionally, and even recreationally. Just like a plant, if we do not grow we will die.

One of the most traditional excitements most of us, if not all engage ourselves in, is the celebration of an old year and the ushering of a new year. The emotional climax we experience during the new year sagas are quite remarkable and positive. Most of us reach a level of excitement to where we create what we call ‘New Year Resolutions.’ However, somewhere around February and March, the excitement dies down and we return to the ‘normal’, ‘regular’ person we were for years, while at the same time forgetting the goals we set to reach for the year. Before we know it, year in and year out we become stuck being the same person. Perhaps some of us are still living in 1988 because of the dangerous comfort of stagnation.

Brice Point: If we choose to only get excited about the ending of an old year and the ushering of a new year and have not made a choice and an effort to grow in our lives, then the only thing we will end up being excited about is a new number.

Here’s the Young Lion’s Focus for 2010

Theme: Restudy, Refresh and Restore God’s Word in the Whole (10) man!

Purpose Statement: To re-evaluate and release the Word of God in my life so that I will grow in having an appreciation, an appetite and an appearance of the Word of God.

Divided Focus:

Restudy
To challenge myself in an exhaustive study of Psalms 119.

Refresh
To remove previous perceptions of God’s Word and allow His Word to inform me anew the significance and purpose of His Word.

Restore
Through the study of God’s Word and the renewing and refreshing of His Word, I must challenge myself to release the Word of God in my life and allow His Word to transform me to be the Young Man that pleases Him.


Motto
“He can’t feed me, if I’m not hungry”

Someone may ask: How do I create an outline for my life for the New Year?

Answer: 1. Spend time reflecting on the victories and mistakes of the previous year.

2. Spend time in prayer, mediation of God’s Word and even fasting for a couple of days (doesn’t have to be from food, but from something that is very valuable to you or even have taken the place of God in your life).

3. Consider the mistakes of the previous year and make a decision to make sure you do not repeat the same mistakes.

4. Think of a focus/theme for your life for the upcoming year. Think of a purpose statement that points to what you are going to do that will lead to change. Think of reasonable and achievable goals.

5. Write/type it out with prayer in your heart. Post it all around you.

6. Take baby steps.

7. Get the job done!

Peace, The Young Lion