Reaching for the past, friends long lost seem feel like they have been missing the same reality of life that we once enjoyed growing up. What choices did we make that made us drift away from these friendships? What choices did we make to reach where we are now?

Now we stand Years ahead in time. Almost ready to stretch our limits, feeling as though nothing can stop us. It seems like we have all the world in our hands. Thinking back to times we shared, the dreams we had, places we wanted to go, do we even think that we will be able to do all of that? A choice never affects the past, it affects only the future.

Generations past say there is nothing they can do to make things better as the choices they have made have not made things better for them. Now we stand at the brink of a crucial choice that affects how we will choose to make or break the way we live our life in the future. Who do we plan to live for? What choice did we make to live in this world?

Someone chose for us to live. There is nothing we can do about that. But then we have choice on whether we choose to live, whom we live with, how we live, why we live and whom we choose to let live. Did we make a choice that hurt someone else? Did we make a choice that killed somebody?

What is the power that choice has that we should be so aware of what we do? As children we made some choices that seemed to be because “Daddy said I could” or “Mommy said I could”. Today we stand by ourselves. How are the choices we make affecting our sphere of influence? What has someone done to become or going to do because of the choice we made in words, actions, appearance, or just simply being around them? What choices have we made for people we care about? What choices have we made for the temptations we face?

We still have a choice no matter what situation we are in. Are we willing to bare the consequence for the choices we made, the good and the bad? Are we willing to choose by ourselves or by the flow that is around us?

I pray in the choices we make will be with ” Trust in the LORD with all [our] heart and lean not on [our] own understanding; in all [our] ways acknowledge him, and he will make [our] paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

A bittersweet emotion filled the room. Our time together was winding down, but our mission back home was about to launch. We began early Sunday morning just as every other morning at 7:30AM. Charissa Fong spoke about Elijah’s experience and humanized this prophet of God.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. – James 5:17

“God is always found in the quietness of a trusting heart that simply desires to abide in Him,” Charissa reassured. We don’t have to wait for GYC 2012 to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, after all, He was sent to reach us wherever we may be whenever we may need Him.

After breakfast, the GYC Executive Committee formed a panel and were open to any questions or suggestions from the floor. The committee expressed a desire to be accessible to and open with us.  Many came forward asking questions ranging from controversial topics such as homosexuality, to minor details like can we reformat the lyrics on the screens so short people can read them. Many ideas surfaced including the need for a children’s component of GYC. We were all encouraged to get involved by volunteering to help meet some of these needs.  Make contact with GYC by emailing info@gycweb.org or visit the GYC on Facebook.

At the final Commitment Service, the new executive committee was introduced. Justin McNeilus will continue as President. Several new positions have been added, and a much younger group will comprise the executive committee going forward. After 10 years, this is the first executive committee in which none of the original founders will serve.

GYC is moving into Europe this Summer 2012! GYC Europe is expected to take place in late July 2012 in Austria. You’ve got to check this out:

GYC Europe from GYC on Vimeo.

“A New Day” indeed it is, Sebastian Braxton entitled his message. Again, visit the GYC website to hear the message for yourself, but in short Braxton distinguished the essential from the incidental elements of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Essential elements included 1) acceptance, reception of Jesus, 2) Prayer, and 3) an entire/complete surrender to Jesus. He reminded us that just because you’re filled, that doesn’t mean everyone will accept it. Braxton called for unity and the ministry leaders to come together in this work.

And then it was over. The new and old executive committee stayed behind to answer any questions. Others of us ran up front to take home some of the flowers that had decorated the stage, and goodbyes were hugged away.

For those of us here in Texas, Southern Youth Conference (SYC) will take place June 29-July 1 in Richardson, TX and the theme will be “Crucified.”

And GYC 2012 will be in Seattle, WA starting Friday evening December 28, and ending the following Tuesday on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013. The theme is “Acts: The Revolution Continues” and will be a case study of the spirit-filled book of Acts (not a theme text, but a theme book). Get involved now at your home church, and make plans to come to Seattle already filled with the Holy Spirit – testimony in hand.

Wow, GYC I’ve really missed you. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been able to attend and this has been such a blessing. We already have plans underway for things at Houston International SDA Church. On a personal level, I’m so not ready for this high to come down. I’ve started my post-GYC devotional using Mark Finley’s upper room workbook.  My prayer is that God will reorient my priorities and use me this year in a way He never has before. I’ll post to keep you posted.

God bless!

“. . . for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” – Matthew 7:13

It was like the scripture came to life as we exited the convention center and walked down Avenida de las America. The sidewalks were brimming with people on both sides of the crowded street. On one side those of us leaving the evening devotional session, the other a citywide party to bring in the new year.

It seemed the avenue paved a line of demarcation between us.  The Sabbath was long over, but the New Year’s Eve celebrations were just beginning. Two separate venues, hosted by two separate masters.  GYC attendees were headed to pray in the ballrooms from 10pm-12am, an event hosted by our Lord and Savior.  Houstonians were ready to party it up and drink in the new year decked out with LED lights in a fatal attempt to brighten the master of darkness. Our Light shined in our hearts, when earlier that evening attendees crossed the avenue and handed out GLOW tracts.

And speaking of outreach, I should share with you the results from Friday’s outreach. In just a few hours, 2,750 GYC attendees visited 23,626 homes, prayed with 2,300 people, and 2,016 homes requested bible study. Praise God!

On Friday, there were some who couldn’t fit on the buses, so they decided to walk around the area and talk to people on the streets of downtown. One particular story ended with a Metro city bus driver hopping off the bus and approaching the GYC attendees with this question: “What can I do to be saved?”.  Everyone waited on the bus, while the driver got a quick bible study. So many miracles to share.

So about Sabbath at GYC…

Of course we had morning worship, then Sabbath School, and Dwight Nelson brought the message for Divine Worship. We ended the service answering an appeal to be wall-breakers, not wall-makers. “The enemy of darkness wants to keep the walls up,” Nelson preached, but we must tear down barriers such as racial division before we can expect the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon this church.  You can listen for yourself now, so I won’t spoil the rest of the message. Check out the recordings online at the GYC website.

Sabbath afternoon we participated in totalCHURCH breakout groups. These sessions covered topics surrounding the church life including meeting physical needs, planning spirit-filled worship services, effective evangelism in small groups, etc. I attended Ron Clouzet’s “Apostles’ Teaching” on discerning and dealing with error and false doctrine.

DeVasher’s evening worship message was one that really hit home, “Respectable Conventionality.” The message centered around James 4:17, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” DeVasher emphasized Ellen White’s guidance that practical work will have a far greater effect than merely preaching. Over the background noise of booming speakers play outside, DeVasher boldly called us out. Those of us living the conventional life need to strive for more than just a spouse, house, kids & grand-kids. We must realize that the world needs more than a proclamation, the world needs a revelation. We need to meet real people’s real needs.

As I glanced across the street at my 150,000 neighbors partying it up, I thought about heaven and wondered how many are waiting on me to cross the street to share a real piece of heaven on earth.

My friend and I ended up in Doug Bachelor’s session after she shared with me she was ashamed to not ever have heard of Bachelor when a non-SDA friend approached her with one of his DVDs. So we spent a few minutes in that seminar covering again characteristics of the Holy Spirit. Then we headed over to another session entitled “Teach Us to Pray – The Model for Prayer” by Jorge Baute. This was her first day ever to attend a GYC conference, so she had to get a taste of how the different presenters worked.

I was once again encouraged by the divine message poured out this morning. Practical guidance on The Sanctuary Prayer model was so enlightening. We picked up quick nuggets of gold, learning how the sanctuary represents so clearly how we are guided to the most intimate prayers with God.  Here’s how it flows:

1) Enter with praise – Psalm 100; Luke 10:21
2) Confession – 1 John 1:8,9; Romans 10:9, 2 Timothy 2:19
3) Recommit my life to God – Psalm 51:10
4) Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Luke 11:13; Galatians 5:22-25
5) Strength for the day – John 6:32-33; Romans 13:12-14; Put on the whole armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-18
6) Intercession – Philippians 1:3,4; Romans 1:9,10
7) Intimate communion with Jesus – Psalm 16:8, 11. Enter into the heavenly sanctuary with Christ. Hebrews 10:19, 20

“At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan’s whole host trembles.” (1T, p.346)

Of all the quotations, this was my favorite this morning at Module 3. You see, when I think about what my full-time occupation has been these past few days, and when I consider the thousands of young people assembled in downtown Houston – I can barely fathom the amount of trembling going on right now. Satan’s whole host trembles.  Whether the Sanctuary model or The Lord’s Prayer, just communing with Him in ceaseless prayer trips up the devil. Powerful.

The plenary sessions take place just before lunch, and you’d think by this time our tummies growling might deafen our ears. This is not the case.  Jan-Harry Cabungcal describes himself as a neuroscientist who believes in the 6 literal days of Creation.  He shared his personal testimony and the amazing work taking place through Europe 4 Jesus during today’s Plenary session. Cabungcal’s message today once again urged us to respond to the cry of the lost.  They have an equal right to the knowledge and hope we know.

Ok, so back to outreach/evangelism day.  We had a quick bite to eat, and then it was finally time to line up and depart on one of 55 buses.  A small group of youth from my local church and I loaded up on a bus.  We were headed to Brazoria County, that is ccounty number one on the list for highest suicide rates in the state of Texas.  We prayed and thanked God for using us to plant these first seeds in a place full of despair.  And just like that, we were dropped off  on a neighborhood street corner in the middle of this country town Alvin, TX.  We had materials to distribute and people to pray for and with.

Just the thought of this experience is uncomfortable for most. Yet the Holy Spirit’s leading during this simple exercise is critical and overwhelmingly visible when present. For instance, we knocked on one door and the same message of GYC 2011 rang boldly from the lips of a complete stranger. The first guy we prayed with encouraged us, “The filling of the Holy Spirit is key.”  Then he hopped on his bicycle and rode away.

There are people waiting for someone to come. Others are living in a really dark dark place, and need our prayers – even when they reject them. Between puffs of cigarette smoke, one guy told us every time he goes to church someone dies. Bible study and church just aren’t his style. We left materials with him anyway, and paused on his sidewalk to pray just for him. Planting the seed in Alvin, TX where there’s currently no established English-speaking Seventh-day Adventist Church was yet another divine appointment completed at GYC 2011.

We returned to downtown Houston singing songs of praise on the bus, sharing testimonies from our experience and bonded closer with our peers and Maker. I was happy to hear one young lady from my home church say, “We have to make it to Seattle next year” (GYC 2012 will take place in Seattle, WA).  This is why GYC is more than a department nestled within a bureaucratic administration, and truly a movement. GYC demands young people (and old) to – get to work!

The night ended by “Killing the Fat King.”  Kameron DeVasher was back with an incredible twist on the story of Ehud in Judges 3. “We need more Ehuds,” DeVasher pleaded. Too often we continue paying taxes to the fat king of sin. Tonight we left beginning a tax revolt, one by one dropping in surrender to God and letting go of those sins we like to hate and hate to like. Just as Ehud had a message from the Lord in a sword which slain King Eglon, we must take up our bible and use it as a sword to defeat the enemy.

“Comfort and convenience are not the primary objectives of this conference due to its intense nature.” – GYC Program: General, p. 5

Today we sweat a little inwardly and outwardly – for the Gospel.

The day started at 7:30AM morning devotion with Charissa Fong of Sydney, Australia. Eyes burning from lack of sleep, she jolted me into intense focus telling the story of Asa in 2 Chronicles 14. She outlined the work of the Holy Spirit that is, 1) conviction, 2) conversion, 3) cleansing, and 4) commission. The caution and powerful point of this message was that we must finish well and continually seek God’s face.  Asa’s diseased feet told the story of his heart, Charissa shared.  Never to walk again, Asa started well spiritually but he did not finish well. To finish well, we must cling to God.

We took a break for breakfast, and then had 18 different options on the menu for modules or 2.5 hour seminars with various speakers all taking a slightly different angle on the theme for our conference, Fill Me: Our Earnest Plea. Module 1: The Foundation for me was “Living on E” with Annie Morgan. When I first saw the title, I knew it was for me. A few months back my best friend responded to an email warning me, “U r running on empty jb…Spiritually.”  So when I read the last sentence of the description, “Discover the thrill of ‘living on E’ where all our comfort comes from Jesus,” I was really curious how being on E could be a good thing.  Module 1 was the highlight of my day, and possibly my entire 2011 GYC experience. But that’s just the thing, the Holy Spirit is already in this place – it’s up to the attendees to let Him dwell in our hearts and convict us with the message tailored by God just for us.  Just for GYC 2011.

But then if morning worship and seminar time wasn’t enough, we had a plenary session just before lunch. Janet Page shared her personal testimony and the necessity for daily time with God and the power of prayer. We ended this session as we do every session with a season of prayer. Only this time, we were encouraged to pray in bits and pieces with words guided directly by the Holy Spirit. One short prayer followed by another and another, round and round we went. It was beautiful, short nuggets of an earnest plea for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

After lunch, 2.5 more hours of seminar time made Module 2: The Understanding. This time I chose Jeffrey Rosario and David Asscherick’s “Theological Realities” module.  The assembly hall was packed and so was the message. We tackled and established through intense scripture searching: 1) The Holy Spirit is a person, 2) The Holy Spirit is God, and 3) The work of the Holy Spirit is 4-fole: on, in, for, and through us. Our parakletos or advocate, the Holy Spirit walks beside us magnifying the image of Jesus to and through us.  Thing is, if we don’t intend to be a magnifying glass, the Spirit is not working through us. We ended this session with four prayers that the Holy Spirit might work on, in, for, and through us.

Oh, there were so many choices…and I will have to catch many others online later. As we scattered across the convention center into different rooms, the message was consistent – Fill Me. That’s what’s different about GYC this year. We are all crying out and seeking one thing. Our study time is more than a demonstration of the theme, it’s the Spirit responding to our prayer – it’s God in action.

We ended the day with evening devotionals as Kameron DeVasher presented the message.  DeVasher bluntly asked, “Do you even really want to go [to heaven]?”  It’s not about whether you get in to heaven, but whether you fit in. DeVasher emphasized, “The primary role of the Holy Spirit is  not to make you more powerful, but to make you more Christ-like.” Scripture says it best,

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. – Philippians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

Packed. The day downtown for me ended somewhere around 9PM. Some attendees went to choir or orchestra rehearsal. Anyone who would like to be a part is able to join the mass choir and orchestra. Others headed up to the small group sessions to review Mark Finley’s 10 Days in the Upper Room devotion for the day. And then some others made their way to the Prayer Room where testimonies are in the making all day throughout the conference. I headed home so I could make it to bed by 11PM, only to wake back up somewhere between 5 and 6AM.

A small price to pay.

As I jumped on the escalators at the George R. Brown Convention Center everyone was heading down to the main auditorium. I couldn’t help but notice the crowd seemed much younger than I remembered, but perhaps this was just me settling in to my late twenties. Anticipating just under 5K attendees this year, the place was buzzing with friends reuniting.

While the faces may have changed, entering the worship service brought back that familiar pungent GYC spirit. We made it through the preliminaries and were briefed on what to expect over the course of the next few days. Lots of prayer, time for small groups, evangelism, and even a personal devotion time slated in the schedule. Mark Finley’s 92-page “10 Days in the Upper Room” devotional workbook was distributed at registration along with your name badge and program guide. It was time to get down to intense study and revival… Ready.

Set. Go. Justin McNeilus led us straight to Truth with a message focusing on our theme for the week, Fill Me: Our Earnest Plea. We started in Acts 1 and identified the effect – the gospel going to the world, and rewound to understand one cause – Jesus being at the center as our foundation.

Justin, the banker juggled the numbers and broke down any doubt about the ability to take the message to the 7 billion people occupying planet Earth. With 120 people in the upper room challenged to take on 180 million people in the world at that time, we can’t get overwhelmed by the current stats. The ratio landed somewhere around 823 souls to be reached by every 1 SDA individual. “It’s easy,” Justin said.

But the message went on and we zoomed in on Acts 1 verse 4.

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (KJV)

After instructing the disciples to take the message to the world, Jesus then commanded them not to leave Jerusalem. The process outlined like this: Jerusalem > Judea > Samaria > World.  Likewise, we  have to take care of business at our home churches, and reach our neighbors before worrying about what we’re going to do about our neighboring countries. The process outlined like this: World < Country < State < City < Local Church < Y o u.  First we have to be reached in order to reach.

Justin put it plain and simple, “You have no business making plans to reach the world when your prayer meeting in your own church is suffering.” We must wait, as the verse says (something we Millennials don’t like to do). The call is that we must bring about revival in our home churches.

Following the message we had some time for prayer (real, honest, scripture-focused prayer). Reading Joel 2:15-17 we prayed that God would help us take this solemn event seriously, that He might cleanse us of our sins, and rid us of those things hindering our ministry. Kneeling on the concrete floor, praying our hearts out to God in silent earnest unison as Peter did many years ago:  F I L L  M E.

So that’s what we’re here for. The journey has just begun.

Join us online with live broadcasts of the main sessions on 3ABN and follow the blog each day for a brief update!

So where does the SDA church stand on this volatile issue of abortion? It’s hard to tell…

The Church does not serve as conscience for individuals; however, it should provide moral guidance. Abortions for reasons of birth control, gender selection, or convenience are not condoned by the Church. Women, at times however, may face exceptional circumstances that present serious moral or medical dilemmas, such as significant threats to the pregnant woman’s life, serious jeopardy to her health, severe congenital defects carefully diagnosed in the fetus, and pregnancy resulting from rape or incest. The final decision whether to terminate the pregnancy or not should be made by the pregnant woman after appropriate consultation. She should be aided in her decision by accurate information, biblical principles, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, these decisions are best made within the context of healthy family relationships.

- Guidelines on Abortion, The Official Site – Seventh-day Adventists

As conservation danced around the touchy topic, we left with many questions unanswered. Is it really absolutely wrong? What about rape? What about health risks? How do you decide?

Conversation sparked after watching the 33 minute film exploding around the world, the 180 movie.

I left with principal of the matter on my mind as the boyfriend put it, “Sin is sin. Is there ever a justification for it?”. Varying views somehow landed on a note of unison – we really need to study this stuff and come to a point of fervant conviction.

Watch this for a short recap:

The chatter of The Chat Room has yet to cease, and I’m psyched about the coming year at Houston International SDA Church. Young Adults

Next up, we’re heading to GYC. Check back here for daily updates on the event.

Have you been feeling a gapping hole that your success at work and significant other can’t seem to fill? Is your devotional time becoming more of a chore than a joy? Are your co-workers and friends becoming increasingly wicked, while their habits and entertainment is starting to form your own personal likes and dislikes? Can you not remember the last soul you’ve led to a closer relationship with Jesus? Do you have little to no scriptural foundation that you can point to for the truth that you claim to believe? Are you perfectly happy with a seat in the front, middle or last row every weekend, and refuse to put forth any conscious effort to serve your church and community? If so, then you might be suffering from pewism!

Pewism is a disease that breaks down the enmity provided by God in the garden (Genesis 3:15) and replaces it with a relaxed, self-sufficient Laodicean mindset (Revelations 3:14-22). Research shows that pewism can be caused by various means. Discontentment (Genesis 3:6), idleness (2 Samuel 11:1), ungodly relationships (1 Kings 11:1-2), lack of true fellowship (Acts 2:42), worldly attachments (Matthew 19:21-22), insufficient prayer life (2 Chronicles 7:14), lack of nutrition (John 15:5) and total amnesia (Matthew 28:19-20) are but a few of the main culprits that cause this disease to spring up in the life a believer. Unfortunately, this disease is easily transmitted and passed on through emotional, physical, and mental interaction with any individual or church body that has been previously diagnosed or is showing signs of the disease. Furthermore, studies suggest that the disease has a damaging short term affect (2 Timothy 4:3-4), which doesn’t come close to comparing with its eternal ramifications (Matthew 7:21-23).

Many doctors have been working to correct the disease’s effects, but they have found that their methods of treating the symptoms will only create more havoc and cause the disease to mutate and spread even quicker. Such methods as spiritual exercises, also known as selective prayers, Christian rock and hip hop, compromises in doctrine, alongside many other quick fixes, seem to degenerate the body still further. It seems as only the Great Physician has come up with a cure for the disease. However, the cure that He proposes is ridiculed, denied, and disregarded in the medical, theological, urban, suburban, and rural communities.

The Great Physician’s cure is as follows:

Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations…Pray without ceasing…Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression…Search the scriptures…Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good…Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…Love thy neighbor as thyself…Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might!

Ezekial 14:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Isaiah 58:1, John 5:39, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 12:31, Deuteronomy 6:5

P.S. IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU LOVE IS SUFFERING FROM PEWISM, PLEASE DON’T WAIT OR HESITATE TO CALL AND VISIT THE GREAT PHYSICIAN. HIS LINE AND HIS DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN! AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE SAYS, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – Revelations 3:20

I fall at your feet now, weak, bruised, and feeling oh so small. I fall at your feet now, knowing I am not worthy but recognizing that it is only with knowledge of your kingdom, your righteousness and your love that I will receive salvation.

So I embark on this journey now oh Father, to seek your kingdom, your righteousness and your love. I hold on to the promise that is if I seek, I will find. I embark on this journey uncertain of where I am going but confident that your will guide me.

I ask now oh Lord, for strength, and wisdom to proclaim your kingdom to others. Teach me through your word to live a better life so others can see your blessings through my life.  Let my words be everything but my word oh Lord. Let them all be you.

I open my heart so you can reside in me. I open my eyes so I can see your blessings clearly. I open my hands to welcome the blessings and pass them on to others.

This is my simple prayer,

Amen.

We all remember that day.

This morning together we remembered at work with a moment of silence.  It was a strange moment with hundreds of attorneys at 10AM crowding in the common areas to simply be quiet.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Nothing said, when the clock struck 10:02AM we simply returned to our cubes.

I hung my head and prayed. This prayer wasn’t for those who had passed on…it was for us.  We remember the tragedy of 9/11, but what a daily tragedy it is to know we’ve spent 10 ungrateful years not appreciating God’s merciful gift of air in our lungs.

With hurricanes, famine, and Texas fires blazing through my mind – somehow 2 minutes just wasn’t enough.

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge

- Psalm 46

As we remember, let us not forget – we live, because He lives.