Here is my super self-absorbed first blog. My name is JD Groves and Im a 23 year old youth minister in the genesis of my career. I'm pursuing youth ministry as a career with my new wife Annie and we love middle-schoolers. This summer God placed an undeniable call on my life to minister to youth and try and love them as He would. I have since been like a train flying down straight tracks, full-speed, no stops and no turns. I now can't imagine myself doing anything else other than youth ministry and I love that. Earlier tonight, Annie and I had dessert and chatted (a mini date) and we came to the discussion of Matthew's Gospel and how Matthew records Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees for burdening people without helping them carry those burdens. He also records much of jesus' words about loving the unlovable and undesirable; society's dregs. I then had to question myself; do I love the undesirable? I was disappointed with my answer, but no, i don't and I honestly believe the American Church doesn't either. What can be done? How do we, as a body of believers, change our lifestyles and our hearts to actively, practically and evidently love the unlovable (which I often am). Feel free to respond, answer and question.
Secondly, how do I lead and love youth, particularly middle schoolers and share the gospel while walking the tight-rope of righteousness yet not burdening and instead preach the freedom and truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus? This is a huge life question for me and I think I will spend the rest of my life trying to answer it, but I would love to hear anyone's ideas. Well, Annie's asleep next to me and I want to join her.
~Only In Love
Christianity is not a march of legalism, but rather, a dance of grace.
5 comments:
great first entry... I love that you've joined the blogging community
oops, that comment was from me. the perils of sharing a computer
oh I am SOO excited...
adding ya to the blogroll
Hey man - save the heavy stuff for later!!! J/K of course, you and A Groves are just starting out in full time ministry and while I can't answer a lot of the questions you have posed - I can offer support. There will undeniably be hard times, frustrating times, and the like but you are going confidently in the direction of your (& the Lord’s) dreams and ultimately – that will be the most fulfilling thing you can do. One thing I’ve really been learning these last months is really how to die to myself in reverent worship of Him and this has been incredibly freeing and uplifting. Don’t know if this help – just thought I’d share!!! PS – We people on the “Mainland” will be behind you guys!
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