What is grace?

1. How would you describe grace to an unsaved person?
2. Do you think that unsaved people can appreciate grace without having any of their own?
3. How could we function as dispensaries of grace to unsaved and saved teens?
4. How would that affect them? How would it affect us? How would it affect God? Is grace worth giving away?

Pastor Mike

Wisdom Quotient

Hey teens. I want to say thanks to Mrs. Mitzel for being sidelined for two weeks and allowing me to step up and deliver two spur of the moment lessons. I know that being sidelined is no fun, but it allowed me to have an unsheduled (by me) stop in the lives of the group.

In week one, we talked about service. You got to help me develop the seminar for ESFYS at Marilla. That was great. It really helped me polish some key areas and helped me communicate to teens in a VERY SHORT amount of time. I hope it helped them too. My ears have been very alert to a whole bunch of things about service recently-- including a funny exchange between Mr. Augrom and Mr. Post as we were setting up tables/chairs for the Easter breakfast:

Mr. Post: (after setting up the last chairs) Well, is that all there is to do?
Mr. Augrom: (with a smirk) Yes, you have completed your community service. You may go now.
Pastor Mike: (playing along) Mr. Augrom, do you need to sign something to verify that for the judge? :)

I was reminded of how often our service to God is a grudging, "have to do this" instead of a cheerful, "there must be more I can do".

In week two, we talked about measuring your wisdom quotient from Proverbs 9. I was wondering if your ears have been perked up and if you have remembered the 4 checkpoints/tests to determine your WQ. So here they are again so that you can interact with them:

1. How do you respond to correction?


2. Are you growing spiritually smarter? (insights, knowledge, application)


3. Are you deepening your personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ?


4. Is God blessing your life? (not in the health and wealth categories)

Sunday morning early service would have been a good test for #3. Did you come with a "who's bright idea was it to start Easter early" attitude or "Easter/Resurrection Day is my favorite high holy day" attitude? Did you spend any time reflecting throughout the day (beyond the walls of WyBC) on the cross, resurrection, grace, mercy, salvation, etc.?

The point of the WQ test is to see progress. Unlike IQ that is pretty set for most people, WQ is a measurement of a growing feature. It ought to be somewhat akin to measuring your height or even better, your age. It only makes sense that you are increasing in wisdom -- that is what Christians do.

Thanks for measuring and growing,

Pastor Mike

Something to Chew On

I used this quote in the Youth Seminars at Marilla this weekend. I was wondering if you might like to a) read it, b) think about it, and c) discuss how this truth will affect the way that we do youth ministry at Wyoming.

“Thirty years from now, regardless of changes in technology, communication, and culture, people will still have the same basic needs. They will need love, acceptance, meaning, purpose, forgiveness, dignity, and significance. They will struggle with selfishness, fear, guilt, resentment, worry, boredom, loneliness, and other universal problems. These won’t go away. Thirty years from now the solution will still be the same: Jesus Christ.”

--Rick Warren

1. Why is it important for us to understand well Jesus Christ and the message of the gospel and be able to articulate it clearly?


2. Is it important to keep sharpening our skills at sharing the gospel, explaining Scripture, and sharing our testimony?


3. Have you ever struggled with any of the issues Rick Warren mentioned? How does that change your ministry zeal/urgency?


4. What will motivate us to be involved with these kinds of broken people? (hint: think second main session, feeding of the five thousand)

I want to have a youth group that is open and receptive of people (especially teens) at all places in the journey. I want to see young people who care for the lost and are actively reaching out to them to draw them to Christ by lifting Him up. I want to be salt and light in the world around us to the point that people begin bringing their broken friends to us to heal them. Do you?

For teens and for the lost,

Pastor Mike

Service Seminar Pre-view

Thanks to all of those who endured the pre-view lesson last night on Christian Service. I am looking forward to polishing it and teaching it to teens at Marilla this weekend. God has really used the Youth Seminars in some really neat ways in the lives of teens in the past and I expect this year will be no different.

If you could think of any way that I could improve on the message or the mechanics of delivery, please feel free to give those ideas. That way, this seminar could be a ministry of Wyoming Baptist YG , not just Pastor Mike! Thanks for your input in advance. :)

Here are some prayer requests for the weekend:

1. Health -- my voice and upper respitory irritations. I want to give the seminar in the most dynamic way possible. Also pray for the Mitzels, if they are as sick as the rest of us who caught these bugs, they may not be back in action for a while. That would mean no Andrew on the weekend. That would be sad -- we would miss Napoleon.
2. Safety -- there are not supposed to be any major storms this weekend, but one never knows on the back roads of Western NY.
3. Unity -- the Youth Seminars is also about getting to know the younger Trek crew. Pray that Sr. Hi teens and Jr. Hi teens will not allow the typical separations to occur. This is a great opportunity to develop friendships with older and younger teens.
4. Growth -- I know that you think that YS is all about the pizza and the FUN. But, the real goal is that these pieces of the puzzle fit together with spiritual growth. The real goal is that you are stretched in at least one key area of your life.

I look forward to hearing about your weekend at the far end. Remember, there is a time of sharing available on Sunday night to encourage those who are at home. :D

To defend and serve,
Pastor Mike

When Temptation Becomes Too Great

Last week we looked at a Biblical narrative about Joseph. It is the story of how he, being a rising star in the servant world, and sufficicently strapping, catches the eye of his boss's wife. She being either of poor moral character or extremely lonely as the abandoned first lady or some combination of both, sets about to seduce poor Joe. Her attempts at securing his physical intimacy are refused. She is not accustomed to rejection and sets Joe up to be alone with her. The trap is sprung and Joe is left with only one option -- drop your coat and run like mad.

Two interesting things have happened since we had that lesson led by Bethany:

a. My pastor friend Paul Peterson blogged a great exit strategy if he were ever caught in that situation. It sounded remarkably similar to Joe's actions.
b. Our governor Elliot Spitzer is up to his eyeballs in trouble following some evidence gathered against him in a prostitution sting. It is remarkably dissimilar to Joe's actions.

So. Whaddyathinkbout now?
1. How important does an exit strategy seem to you now? Have you formed one yet?

2. Some have said that Spitzer actions are not really the issue -- they are private matters. Do you agree or not? Why? (By the way, any answer that isn't supported by the Bible is not a Christian Worldview)

3. At least one person has said that Eliot Spitzer's actions are a "victimless crime". Do you agree?

4. Read this great post by Scott Ott. He seems to have made the connection! Does his response to Gov. Spitzer seem to soft or compassionate? Does he go too far in feeling sorry for the governor? How would you respond to the governor if he called you in for advice?

5. Can fallen leaders be restored? Is immorality an unforgiveable offense?

6. How does David's story help sort out this political mess? What actions reflect a man after God's own heart?

7. Do you believe this stuff only happens to politicians or other people? (i.e. "That would never happen to me!")


Teens, I hope that you can see once again that the truths taught in the Word of God are relevant to today. They are applicable everyday as you walk and talk about in this world. You must know them thoroughly and totally go beyond hearing only! Our enemy wants to see us fall. He is very creative and very resourceful and very deceitful. Do not try to outwit him on your own. Put on your armor and train your thoughts to follow God's ways!

On guard,
Pastor Mike