"Happy New Year!" or "Thank goodness it's over, that was one of the worst years of my life!"

It's December 31st. Tonight is New Year's eve.

With that comes instagram collages galore, tweets about turning something up, and facebook is officially full posts about 2013 memories and nightmares.

One thing is clear, people in our culture see a New Year as an opportunity to reboot. Whether you want to look back or not, we are all looking forward at least a little bit. So, here's the question I am asking myself...

Will I take responsibility for what I did not do well in 2013, and will I make the necessary changes so that I can do those things well in 2014?

Let me make this clear, I don't think any power lies in our will power or some little promise that we make on the first day of ever year. But, I do believe in an all-powerful God who has the power to change our hearts. I do believe that if we seek His face, He will honor that and allow us to "press reset."

I guess where this question leads me is that if you want to get hit by less cars in 2014 than in 2013, don't stand in the middle of the road. Many of us complain about our circumstances, but don't change the decisions that determine our situation. So, what's a real life example? Maybe you want to be involved in less drama in 2014. Gossip less. Don't want the stress of sex and dating? Give yourself to Jesus and stay pure. Don't want to make the same dumb decisions on those late nights? Come home earlier, don't drink as much, and surround yourself with people who sharpen you not ones who make you dull.

I pray that I will take the new year as an opportunity to examine myself as well. I need to do a better job of listening than talking, loving than becoming angry, and trusting than doubting. Jesus, change my heart and my ways.


Let's take responsibility for what we did not do well in 2013, and make the necessary changes so that we can do those things well in 2014.

Happy New Years!

Partners in Ministry: The Joy of serving Jesus with your spouse.

"Marriage is fun."

"Marriage is crazy."

"Marriage is tough."

 Marriage is a process."

 "Marriage is what you make it."

"Marriage is great."

"Marriage is for old people."

"Marriage is a waste of time."

"Marriage is the greatest adventure on earth."

 

Above is a short list of things my wife Taylor and I heard before we got married. If you're married I'm sure you can remember everyone and their mama giving you their opinion/advice. Some good and helpful. Some encouraging and uplifting. Some not so encouraging and uplifting. People are fun!

 

My guess is that you don't need someone else's take on marriage, and especially when that someone has only been married for 8 or 9 months. So, I admittedly know nothing, but I was thinking on it today and wanted to share. 

 

The question crossed my mind: "When are Taylor and I the closest?"

 

I began to think about our lives together. We do almost everything together. We spend lots of time together and it probably seems odd to friends and family when they see one without the other. So out of all that time together, when are we closest?

 

Taylor and I are closest when both of us are close to Jesus, and both of us are closest to Jesus when we are serving Him. So, my conclusion is that our marriage is best and we are closest when we serve Jesus together. I feel closest to Taylor when we are partners in the Gospel ministry.

 

I don't think this is rare among Christian couples. And, I don't think that this should surprise us. I mean, why do most Christian couples go through pre-marital counseling with their pastor before tying the knot? Maybe because they have to before the pastor will marry them, but I think some do it with the intentions of making Jesus the foundation of their marriage from the start. So, why does it seem rare that we are distant from our spouse when one, or both, is distant from God?

 

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Matt 7:24-27 (NLT)

Also, seeing Jesus work through Taylor makes me want Jesus to work through me. One of the greatest joys in my life is watching Taylor serve Jesus. Sometimes I like to take a step back and watch. I admire and long for Taylor most when she admires and longs for Jesus. I pray that I, as her husband, set a good example in this and that my relationship with Jesus would be one that makes her long for Jesus more as well.

"As iron sharpens iron,

so a friend sharpens a friend."

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

 

 

We also obviously think and act more biblically when we are closest to Jesus, therefore we treat each other with love and respect which can only work out well. We are closest when we are closest to being who God created us to be. I hold Taylor closest when she models the life of a biblical wife (which is usually :D), and she holds me closest when I model the life of a biblical husband. This is logical. It should not surprise us that faithfulness to God and obedience to His Word is a blessing to our marriages.

 

"For wives, this means submit your husbands..." Ephesians 5:22 (NLT)

"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.."
Ephesians 5:25 (NLT)


 So, what's my take on marriage?

Serve Jesus together.



Here's a few things that Taylor and I try to do to keep our relationship with Jesus and each other fresh. We are not perfect and we are not the model. These are just a few things that have been recommended to us and have blessed our marriage thus far.

1. Pray together. Allow your marriage to be a triangle with Jesus at the top. Get on the same page with Jesus and your spouse.
2. Devotions Together. We both read the bible daily, but sometimes we study the word together. Make sure that you and your spouse have the same authoritative voice speaking into your lives.
3. Worship Jam Sessions Together. Sound cheesy? I love riding down the road with Taylor sitting in the middle seat of my pickup truck and us singing out to Jesus together. I'm sure others wouldn't enjoy it, but I think Jesus does.
4. Serving Jesus together in the Church and in the Community.
I don't even know what the ministries I'm involved with would look like without Taylor. Seeing her serve unselfishly pulls me closer to her and to Jesus. Sit down with your spouse and pray about where Jesus wants to use you and jump in.

I think most of this is basic, but so easy to miss. Don't miss out on God working in you're marriage. Serve Jesus together. 

Take Joy Where? (Thanksgiving)

Well, it's that time of the year. Thanksgiving is next week. The holidays are officially here. It will be Taylor and I's first holiday season as a married couple. I love my wife, I am thankful for her, and I excited about being with our family as a family.

Thanksgiving is a neat holiday to me. We set this time of the year apart from the rest of the year to be thankful which is kind of weird. I hope that we really exhibit an attitude of thankfulness year-round.

Thankfulness is easy at times and not so easy at others. This week I was to tempted to have one of those others. My truck has been acting up. Tuesday morning was a breaking point for me. I had to be at a local school pretty early. I went out to get in my truck to leave and it started having some issues. It caused me to run late. I loathe running late. I wanted to kick, spit, and cuss. I was on my way and began to pitch a little hissy fit to God. And, then, like a hammer on my heart, God hit me with Philippians 4:4...

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Phil 4:4 (NLT)

So often we want to place our joy in things other than the Lord. That morning I wanted to place it in my truck running well. That sounds silly. But, I allowed my joy to depend on my truck. Maybe its not your vehicle. Maybe its your relationship with your parents, children, spouse, or some boy/girl. Maybe your joy depends on your bank account or how things go at work/school.

I would like to remind you that Paul wrote Philippians 4 while being in jail for worshipping Jesus. He had all the reason in the world to be in the dumps. But, he chose to be joyful. Not in his freedom. Not in his status. Not in his living arrangements. But, Apostle Paul's joy depended on Jesus. So should ours.

Our family situations change. People let us down. Things, like trucks and cars, break. Finances can hit a wall. We live in a changing and inconsistent world. But, as Christians, we belong to an unchanging and consistent Jesus. He doesn't walk out. He doesn't leave. He doesn't break. He can handle anything and everything we throw at Him.

This Thanksgiving, and every other day of the year, I challenge you to place your joy in Jesus. Let your thankfulness depend on Him, not your circumstances. He can handle it. Take joy in belonging to Jesus.

ALL ABOUT JESUS!!!

 

The What and Why of the Christian Life. (HCC Youth Video)

This is a video by the HCC Youth. We showed this video at Call 4:1 on Sept. 15, 2013.

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Galatians 2:20

Call 4:1- September Recap (Video and Pictures)

CALL 4:1

September Recap

Call 4:1 is a monthly worship service for students from 6th grade through College. Call 4:1 is Student led. All students are welcome, and other youth groups are invited! Call 4:1 is held on the 3rd Sunday PM of every month from 7-8:30.

 

Our first Call 4:1 was Sept. 15th! I felt like it was a HUGE step in the right direction. It was awesome to see students come together for the cause of Christ. I'm super proud of all the students who made this Call 4:1 possible. It's encouraging to see students stepping up, and really taking on the responsibility of leading others in the way of Christ. I can't wait until next month! There were at least four different youth groups represented. Hope you will join us in October!

 

Check out the recap video and pictures below!

 

 

 

 

 



 



CALL 4:1... What is it and Why we want you!

Your invited to CALL 4:1!

 

 

Call 4:1 is a monthly worship night for Students from 6th grade all the way to College. Call 4:1 is for students and BY students. Students will be planning and leading the services each month.

 

The name Call 4:1 is based off of Ephesians 4:1, "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling..."

 

 

Call4:1 will be the third Sunday night of every month from 7:00-8:30. Our first night will be THIS SUNDAY NIGHT, September 15th.

 

 

 

 How awesome would it be to see students from our area rally together in support of each other and for the cause of Christ? This is the vision. That students will worship and walk in the name of Jesus.  After each worship session we will have FREE food and time to just hang out. 

 

Here is a link to the event page on Facebook. The time listed on the event page is wrong. The actual time is 7-8:30pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/672387992789049/

 

Our church address and my contact info is below. If you are interested in taking part, attending, or have any questions please do not hesitate to shoot me an email.

 

Harmony Community Church

1984 Pulpwood Yard Rd.
Peachland, NC 28133
 

 

All About Jesus,

Seth Springs

tsethsprings@aol.com

Being and Doing rather than Going and just Hearing...

Jesus came back from the dead.

maybe you didn't hear...

Jesus came back from the dead.

THAT IS HUGE!

The fact that our God lives is what our entire faith hinges on. Paul said (to paraphrase) that our faith is useless if Jesus stayed dead. But, He didn't. JESUS LIVES! Don't forget it, and the rest of this post means nothing if you don't get that.

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
Matt 28:18 (NLT)

Because Jesus died and rose again, we should take everything He says seriously. I mean, resurrection is a pretty BIG deal. But, not only should we be awe-stricken by this work, we should bow down and recognize the fact that Jesus is victorious over death and has power over everything. When Jesus talks we should listen.

Jesus went on to say...

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:19-20 (NLT)

Risen Jesus, with all authority, tells us Christians what we are to do with our lives: Make Disciples.
What does this mean? It means that as followers of Jesus, we ought to reproduce. We are commanded to multiply. We are called to take the good news of life through Jesus, and teach people how live from that salvation.

James, the brother of Jesus, wrote...

"But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves."
James 1:22 (NLT)

So we know our call. We know what Jesus said. Are being hearers only? Or, are we doers? So many of us who know what God's word says about disciple making continue to go to church each week and just listen to a sermon rather than being the Church and actually doing what the Word says. Coming together as the Church, the church being a people and not a place, is a good thing. It's one of the things that God's word teaches us to do. But, God's word teaches us not to stop there. Jesus said, "Go and make disciples."

What does making disciples look like?

Pouring your life and love for Jesus into someone else. Jesus was the ultimate disciple maker. He introduced men to Himself, by saying "Follow me." That's how it starts. Us saying to a lost world, "Follow Jesus."

Jesus didn't stop there. Jesus then did life with these men. They didn't meet at church once a week and do something called discipleship. Nah, discipleship was everyday. It was doing life together in community and relationship. Discipleship is doing life together and growing together towards Christ. Jesus walked and talked with these men. He ate with these men. He prayed, and went through struggles and triumphs with these men.

How was I discipled? The man who introduced me to Christ became my mentor. We began to spend lots of time together. I was a high school student then, and he would come pick me up for breakfast once a week and take me to school afterwards. We would talk about everything. He would teach me what it meant to follow Jesus. He would encourage me, but also tell me the truth when I didn't want to hear it. We would pray for each other. He had me over to spend time with his family. He would call me and let me know he was praying for me. He began to do life with me and showed me what it meant to do life with Jesus. Til this day he is my best friend, and I'm thankful that he took the time to invest in me.

So, where do you stand in this? Do you need to follow Jesus and be made into a disciple? Seek out someone in your life that follows Jesus and ask them to show you what it means to follow Jesus.

Or, are you one who knows the word, but has yet to do it? Jesus is risen, has all authority, and is calling you to make disciples. Who is someone around you, maybe younger or maybe older, that needs to know how to do life with Jesus? Show them. Invite them to lunch, coffee, or have them over to have a meal with your family. If they aren't a real Christian, say "Come, follow Jesus", and go from there. Refuse to sit on the sidelines and miss out on what God is wanting to do around you.

Quality Christian Music is hard to find...

All Christian music is not good music. The lyrics may be awesome, but from a pure listening to music on the radio, ipod, or whatever device you choose, there is a lot of "Christian" music that is just not easy to listen to. I don't mean to sound sac-religious or insult your taste.

Over the past month or so I have heard a few sounds from bands that I'd never heard. Maybe you've known them forever, but maybe you're like me and have been searching for music that is filled with Jesus and that is as good on the ears as it is on the soul. Here's a list of 5 bands that I've come to enjoy, both new and old. Listen, leave what you don't like, and enjoy what you can!

1. Rend Collective Experiment.

2. All Sons and Daughters

 

 

3. Trip Lee

4.  Shawn McDonald

5. DC Talk (Wanted to throw in an "oldy" but a goody)

 

 

Back To School Bash @ DRM (Pictures)

This past Saturday was our youth group's Back to School event. The event was hosted by Damascus Road Ministries. DRM is a ministry to those struggling with addiction and is located in downtown Monroe, NC.

There were 3 or 4 youth groups represented and a total of around 45 people in attendance for the pizza eating, couch sitting, and Jesus worshipping event.

One part of the event was an open mic for any student who wanted to share. To my amazement, several students got up to the microphone to sing and encourage the other students.

After all the pizza and worship, we headed over to a local ice cream place called the Bus Stop Soda Shop. It was good, and I highly recommend the strawberry milk shake.

It was fun to see God move among the students, and it was a huge faith-booster for me to see this thing come together. I'm super thankful to work with the students that I do, and to have ministry friends like those at DRM!

ALL ABOUT JESUS!!!

 

You Are Not Alone...

I struggle with constant worry. I worry about everything. I ask way to many questions out of fear that something will go wrong. I'm all about having a plan.

It may seem odd to you that I deal with fear and worry yet constantly post about evangelism, stepping out in faith, and being "on mission" with Jesus.

Well, since I'm in the confessing mood, those things do not come easy to me. Most of my posts are usually pointed more at myself than at anyone else. I, like many, constantly struggle to get out of my bubble and do things that just don't come natural to normal people.

So, am I just writing this to tell you that I'm a jacked up person. No, you already knew that. What I want to do is give those who are struggling with worry or who are fearful of being all in and all about Jesus a little bit of encouragement that the Word has given me lately.





"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:19-20 (NLT)

With one of the greatest commands Christ ever gave He also gave a promise! Christ tells us that WE ARE NOT ALONE! He has called us to live a life that comes with challenges and opposition, but He let's us know that we don't have to live this life alone.

If you are a true follower of Jesus, whatever you're facing, or whatever you feel God's leading you towards, remember that He is with you. You are not alone.

Spent.

Spent:

Adjective

Having been used and unable to be used again.       18 When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews.20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes.21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me,23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:18-24 (NLT)     When Paul said goodbye to the Ephesians, he could honestly say that he had done everything that he could do to make sure that the Ephesians knew Jesus. He was SPENT for the cause of Christ. He was spent so that this community would know Life and have life.   When we die and stand before a holy God, who knows the truth of our hearts and efforts, will we be able to speak the words of Paul in Acts 20? Will we be able to honestly say that our time was spent doing "the Lord's work"? Will we be able to say we put others first and spent tears for our people? Will we be able to say that Christ was our message and we spent our lives not shrinking back from making Him known?   What are we pouring our lives into? One day the last drop will drip. Was it spent well?   But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24

Painting The Youth Room

This weekend was one of the highlights of Taylor and I's time with the youth at Harmony Community. We painted the youth room!

With 6 adults and about 10 or 12 youth, we got the room painted in 3 days. Thanks to all who came out and put some time in! It was awesome to get to spend some time together, and to work together to see a project be completed. I hope that this will help us see it as OUR youth room, and that it will be somewhere the students are excited to come and bring friends!

 

Here are some pictures of us working and the finished product!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Your Best Friend

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

 

It seems that friends are important. Everyone wants at least one friend. Someone that they can call their best friend. Someone that they have fun with, count on, and talk to. The bible is clear, and teaches that two are better than one and that we will need help from a friend in this life. But, what are some other things that the bible teaches about friends?

 

 

 

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."-Proverbs 13:20

 

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." -Proverbs 27:5-6

 

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."-Proverbs 27:17

 

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." -Proverbs 18:24

 

4 Things to Remember When Picking Friends

1. Be Careful. Everything that we allow into our lives influences us in one way. Friends are one of these influences. Surround yourself with people that you can look up to.

 

2. True friends will be honest with you. Surround yourself with people who love you enough to tell you the truth. A good friend is someone who will tell you what you need to hear even when you don't want to hear it. Be careful of those who only say good things about you. We need friends who will encourage us, but also correct us.

 

3. Ask yourself, "Do they complement or complicate my relationship with Jesus?" Good friends are those who want the best for us. The best for us is to be in close relationship with Jesus. Surround yourself with people who bring you closer to Christ, not pull you farther away. We need friends who are partnering with us in our mission with Jesus. This is also a great question to ask when considering dating or courting.

 

4. Jesus is best friend material. You've heard the Christian cliché, "Christianity isn't a religion but a relationship." Well, it's true. Many believe that the friend that will stick closer than a brother mentioned in Prov. 18:24 is actually Jesus. Jesus wants a relationship with us, and though we will fail, He will not. Allow Jesus to be your best friend, and the greatest influence on your life.

 

Why Live For Jesus? (Video)

Here's a quick clip from a sermon I recently preached from Galatians 2:20.

Most believers know what we are supposed to be doing, but not why we are to do it? So, why should we live for Jesus?

Blazing. (The Week After Youth Camp.)

Last week we took our students to Fort Caswell in Oak Island, NC for Youth Camp. It was one of those awesome, turn you upside-down weekends. Worship was free, fellowship was fantastic, and the preaching was on fire. If you've ever been to youth camp, you know the kind of week I am talking about. It's kind of like a revival for teenagers, but at the beach. The kids were away and soaking in God's word for a whole week.

But, we're back and a big question we must answer is, "What now?"

We (yes, WE) are all on this spiritual mountain top and ready to set the world on fire for Jesus. But, that's how it is every year. We go to this awesome camp, we get emotional, and we come back committed to Jesus...for about two weeks. So, my question is, how can we make this year different? How can we fan the flame of our hearts for Christ, and not allow our selfishness or our surroundings to damper our enthusiasm for Christ?

 

"Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."

-Isaiah 43:19

 

 

 

God wants this for us. I believe with all my heart He is wanting to do a new thing, and He is calling out a generation for it. But, we have to decide if we are going to get on board with God. God has a plan, and is calling us to take part in it. Will we be obedient? Will step out in faith and see God fill our hearts with passion for His name? Will we rise up as John's, or fall away like Judas?

 

Think today, what is one new thing that God is wanting to do in YOU? Maybe He is calling you to walk away from a sin, start reading the bible daily,

pray more for lost family, or start a relationship with a neighbor who doesn't know Christ. The possibilities are endless. What new thing is God wanting to do in and through you?

 

 



Make It Count: A Successful Life

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.Gal 1:10 (NLT)When this life is over, and I stand before Jesus, what will matter?Will my friend's opinions matter on that day? What about my boss's? What about the scoreboard of my latest game or the grade on my final exam? No.  What will happen to the rest of my eternity will not depend on any of those things that day. That day the only thing that will matter is what Jesus says. If He says well done, I pass. If He says He never knew me, I fail.So often we live our lives focused on what others say and think of us. We live lives soaked with a pride that rides on our title or status. It seems that we are buying into things that get us no farther than a full casket and eternal hell. I think the saying goes, "You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul." So, if we define success by all of these things, and all these things don't really matter, is that really success? No. A wise man once told me, "Seth, a man's level success is defined by His obedience to Christ."QUESTION:Are we living a life that counts to Christ?Please do not get me wrong, our salvation is not based on our obedience or anything else we can do. But, when a man experiences God's grace, he is driven by a deep thankfulness to live in a way that pleases God. Are we living out of thankfulness? Is Jesus really our Lord? Are we like Paul in our service, or are we wasting our lives away on things and opinions that don't matter?Don't waste your life.Make it count.