SMC Student-Reflections on Myrtle Beach Conference (pt1)

Life on the other side


















I was a "Shabbacher" long before I ever attended one of the conferences. I had heard about Shabbach, and seen pictures and T-shirts and I will never forget my first Shabbach. When people say it can't be explained, only experienced, they are right. I have a new "first" to add to my list now, however. I had been on staff with a church and been a chaperone for a group of kids for a Shabbach weekend, but I had never gotten to experience what it was like behind the scenes at Shabbach and how it all works, though I had heard about it. Let me tell you, it blessed me beyond measure. Going into a weekend that had followed one of the worst weeks I had had in a while, I knew there had to be something great about to happen. Friday night I got to stand in the back of the sanctuary and just look. I was left, jaw dropped, standing in awe. "I don't deserve to be standing here" was all I kept thinking, but God. As I looked around the room at all of the hands that we raised up in Worship to the King I just couldn't help but tear up. Never in my wildest dreams would it have ever crossed my mind that I could be standing there, and being a part of something so wonderful. But that was just the beginning, Reggie Dabbs began to speak, he made everyone laugh and then punched them all, with words not literally of course. He gave the altar call and I knew it was time to fight. I thought I was overwhelmed at the beginning when I just saw all the people in worship... I soon realized that that was nothing compared to the kids that began to FLOOD the altar, just like a storm sweeping the front they rushed in. I began to pray with them and just seek the Lord and I witnessed lives being transformed, people weeping, shaking, dancing, laughing before the Lord, I have never seen something so beautiful. Saturday I got the priviledge of sharing a small amount of my story and why I am at Shabbach Master's Commission, and as I sat down and looked around the table, I had to hold back my tears once again. I am just amazed, and humbled, and honored, that not only I get to stand under the anointing of my spiritual father, but also Shabbach, as well as Pastor Glenn and Pastor Michael. That alone is grace in motion. To confine my experience this weekend to words, would be unfair. Instead, just take a look at the smile on my face, and the joy in my spirit. This weekend is proof, that yes, we mess up. But God always has a plan. We don't always get it right, but God has a plan. We may go into something like Shabbach ministry-minded ready to minister to somebody, but God always has a plan.


Tami
(Idaho)

SMC Student - Reflections on Myrtle Beach Conference (pt 2)

Looking back at ShabbachMB I could very easily highlight the estimated 509 people that made a commitment to live for Christ. Which in and of itself is awesome and by no means am I taking away from that! I'm an observer by nature, with that being said, my 'ah-hah' moment happened to be Friday night in the middle of worship. On the left side of the stage there stood a girl with her hands stretched out. She was younger than most of the teens yet there she was, along with everyone else, lifting praises to the King. She had tears streaming down her face. Later on Eddie James went on to say, "I believe the best moments in worship are when your heart and spirit are so engaged in loving God that you don't need anyone up here telling you what to do." This rang true for her. She was completely lost in worship. She didn't have her buddy beside her. Her leader wasn't around. It was her and God. She may have hopped up onto the speaker to see but she isolated herself from everyone else to spend time with the Father and that's exactly what she got. When we seek after His face He shows Himself, in whatever way we need to see Him. She had a moment which have me my moment. It doesn't matter who you are or where you stand (in life) God will always be there if we look in the right direction. Jeremiah 29:13 says, " You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Webster's Dictionary defines to seek as 1) to go in search of 2) to try to discover 3) try to acquire or gain. When we forget about those around us and drive out the distractions of life and go after Him with everything we have we WILL find him.  He will meet with us. He will speak. In that moment true change can take place. I truly believe that girl walked out different than we she came in and it all started in praise and worship on that one Friday night. 

Erica
(South Carolina)

SMC Student - Reflections on Myrtle Beach Conference (pt 4)

 This year has been different for me than all the other years because for one I was on staff instead of being an attendee. This would be my 8th year attending Shabbach Youth Conferences and out of all these years, this year was my favorite. I love being an attendee but when I was able to have the opportunity to be a staff member and to set up and tear down, I absolutely loved it and I loved serving in every area that was needed. It gave me a whole new perspective of how much work and how much preparation it takes to set up this conference. To be a part of what Shabbach is doing is a blessing to me in itself. On Friday night, as I was watching the people worship and watching everything that was going on, I became overwhelmed with the fact that I have been given the opportunity and has been a great honor  to stand under the anointing God has placed above me. I get to sit under the anointing of Pastor Glenn and Pastor Michael and Shabbach Ministry and also be a part of SMC. When I was talking with Tami, she gave a great analogy and she said basically we have a huge umbrella we are standing under. Words can’t explain the emotion and how I was feeling when Reggie gave the altar call and the Palace itself became the altar. The place flooded with youth who wanted to change, who wanted to make it right, who wanted to be called a daughter or son of the Most High. All I could do is stand there and look around and just cry because this is what it is all about, this is what Shabbach is about, this is what ministering is about, this is what our lifestyle should be about, to minister the Word and allow God to flow through us to reach the lost, to reach this generation. Saturday night was an amazing night for me and an eye opener for me as well. When Pastor Glenn called for the altar team I walked up there with a desire to see these kids set free from the bondage that was holding them down. As kids flooded to the altar I began praying for these girls but as I was praying, God stopped me in the midst and said go pray for that girl right now. So I went directly to this girl and began speaking things into her life, God was just flowing right through me to tell her these things that she needs to let go of. Next thing I knew she was slain in the Spirit and for a second it caught me off guard. Here’s why…I have seen people pray for someone and they be baptized in the Spirit or slain in the Spirit, but I never thought God would use me in that kind of way. I always thought that I would never be anointed enough to pray for someone and God use me in that way. God showed me this weekend that when He calls me to do something, He’s going to anoint me to do the assignment he has for me. I’m trying to explain it in a way that doesn’t sound like I’m saying it was me that did it because it was NOT me at all. It was God all the way and I was just the willing vessel He used at the time. God has given me a new perspective and brought new meaning to things about myself and about ministry that I never even thought of and never would have even considered. This year at Shabbach has been an incredible and unforgettable experience for me!

Katlyn

(South Carolina)

1 God Encounter w/ 1 Girl to Many w/ the Gospel

Below is a Blog from one of our SMC students. I am proud of Keyona on so many levels. Mainly because of her sheer tenacity to blaze a trail that few are willing to do in order to find God's will for their lives. Keyona is young lady from Maine. She is proof of what one encounter with God at an event like Shabbach can do in launching her to reach many. Keyona was adopted into a wonderful home at a young age. The baggage of rejection could have easily crippled her, yet she refused to be denied and went on a mission to search for purpose of her existence. You'll read in her Blog below about her personal experience at Shabbach. I'd like for you to know her current status after her encounter.
After Shabbach 2009 she:
a. finished her high school
b. joined with a summer mime team that traveled all over the country sharing the Gospel
c. is currently involved in our Shabbach Master's Commission Program here in Charlotte, NC
http://www.shabbach.com/images/MC.pdf

We're all excited about #ShabbachOCD2013!!! I believe she is one of thousands that have been and will be changed at Shabbach! It's why we do what we do!

Hope to see you soon!

pg

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Shabbach MB is this weekend!!  Getting ready has been making me think about going to Shabbach when I was younger.  I remember going to Shabbach DC the year they did Glow in the Dark.  None of my youth group was going other than me, and being from Maine I needed to drive a few hours to get in with another youth group.  Through PG's message I learned that "you can't glow for Christ until you are broken in Christ."  After that weekend I knew that I wanted to be a part of something bigger.  Small Swans Island just wasn't going to cut it for me.  I wanted to be a part of a group that was so real and so on fire for God that it changed people's lives.  Through Shabbach Masters Commission I now get to be a part of the same conference that changed my life. The same conference that made me want a deeper relationship with Jesus.  I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Psalm 37:23-24 - "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand."
Shabbach is the kind of conference that can change a young person's life, I'm living proof of that. And all because "On Fire for God" people follow the path God has laid out for their lives.  I'm so excited to be a part of Shabbach and to see what God has planned for this weekend.  I'm expecting lives to be changed and souls to be won for Christ.  Hope to see you all there!!

John 3:17 - For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Have a blessed week,
Keyona

Sunday at Judah - Keyona Colbeth

"Praise That Betrays" was the title of Pastor Glenn's message this Sunday, (Matthew 26:1-50).  Jesus told Judas that he was going to betray Him because Jesus knew what really was in Judas' heart.  Even though Judas had spent personal time with Jesus his praise wasn't truly there.  Judas' betrayal didn't come from his hands but from his lips!  Let that sink in for a moment!

Like Judas' kiss our praise can be a betrayal to God.  Just because we praise Him doesn't mean we are giving Him the praise that He deserves.  Praise isn't just closing our eyes and clapping our hands.  True praise, that God receives, is not self-motivated but it's driven by the faith that God will put himself in the middle of our problems.  Jesus teaches us praise because He knows the power it holds in our fight against the enemy.  Pastor Glenn said "The enemy is there to stop us from getting to the next phase of our life or even take what we already have."  However, Psalm 8:2 states "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."  Giving false praise is in turn telling God that you don't think He is big enough to handle your problems.

Listening to PG's message Sunday made me think about the way I praise. There have been plenty of times where I have just raised my hand and sang the lyrics to a song not truly realizing my "kiss of betrayal."  Giving God the glory, honor, and true praise is my focus this week.  Are you praising with the right motives and is your praise being received?

Have a blessed week,

Keyona

Tuesday with PG - Keyona Colbeth

This week Shabbach Master's Commission students met with Pastor Glenn at Starbucks for a time of Discipleship. PG taught us the importance of Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Breaking down this verse showed us how truly important it is to our Christian walk. The important words in this verse are: wages, sin, death, gift, of God, eternal life, and Christ Jesus.
It was important to then look at what each word means.
 Wages: A Payment
 Sin: Willfully doing wrong Death:
Separation - The payment for willfully doing wrong is separation. -
 Gift: Something willingly given to someone without payment
 Of God: Something that was already
His Eternal Life: Togetherness or connection with God forever - The Gift of God is togetherness or connection with Him forever. -

The picture shows how he had us set this up on a Starbucks napkin. This is an easy fundamental tool for evangelizing in everyday situations. All you need is Romans 6:23, a napkin, and a pen! The point is that you're always ready no matter where you are. We all start out on the left side of the napkin. BUT through the gift of Christ Jesus we are able to reach the right side and that is to eternal life. The walk across will present you with obstacles. We sometimes have trials and just because you get to the right side doesn't mean you can't go back. "God never said it would be easy but it will be worth the fight." Are you willing to reach out to the stranger sitting next to you in Starbucks? Like Pastor Glenn says, "There is an assignment wherever you go you just have to keep it." #Imnotscared Have a blessed week, Keyona

The Secret Glory In Keeping A Secret

Proverbs 25:2 "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of of kings." Have you ever had your private stuff put out in the court of public opinion, by a person who you thought you could trust? Have you ever been entrusted with initimate information by someone & just sharing a snippet of the information came back to bite you square in the quister? None of us share our personal stuff with people we KNOW we can't trust. We use the filter of believing (or not believing) a person can keep a secret before we divulge any information to them. Instead of focusing on the ppl who you do not trust, I want to help you to have a biblical understanding of why you should be the type of person others can trust. We have enough Christian paparazzi & Twitter/Facebook Stalkers who only want the "dirt." It is my prayer that you and I are the exception to the culture. In order to do this, I want to walk backwards in this Proverb to gain the understanding God is giving in this verse. The Glory of kings: "to search out a matter is the glory of kings." This Book of Wisdom (by the wisest man to live) informs us that kings who seek their own glory will snoop to get the scoop. It is the function & the intent of kings to get to the bottom of any and every "matter" whether it really matters, or not. You and I are kings (see the whole chosen generation/royal priesthood/king's kid thing for biblical validation if necessary) therefore we must rule as so. Like Adam, everyone of us have our own Garden of Eden to tend and make sure it is fruitful. There is a Divine right to rule you and I have that pushes us to have a relevant understanding of what's happening around us. Be careful though: Just because you have a Divine Mandate doesn't mean you have Divine Rights to dig into matters that are only meant for the Glory of THE KING! The Glory of God: "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;" Though you and I have been given a Divine right to rule our Garden, the Garden still belongs to The Lord. Psalm 24 says, "The Earth IS the Lords." I could go on and preach about what He possesses, but I'm tired so I will refrain. :) You and I must see ourselves as stewards, not owners. One day "The Owner" will return and see how well of a manager we have been with the people, places, and things He gave us to steward over. Since we are stewards, ALL that we do, All that we have, ALL that we are, and ALL that we know will be used as illustrations of how much Glory we wanted Him to receive verses how much we wanted for ourselves. A Matter: Next summer, I'm gonna preach a series entitled: The Matter. Here are my titles for the individual sermons in the series: What's the Matter A Matter of Life & Death Mind over Matter The Fact of the Matter Does it Matter? No Matter What Lets face it, things matter, but everything doesn't matter to you. And it's the things that do not matter to you that you HAVE to stay away from! It diminishes you and wastes your energy on things that just do not matter. Lets be clear, just because "a matter" doesn't matter to you, doesn't mean it shouldn't matter to anyone. You have to be wise enough to understand the difference. Who gets the Glory is revealed by what you do with "A Matter." There is a new term out today called FOMO. It means Fear Of Missing Out. The implication of a person with FOMO is that they are scared of missing out on matters of things that could possibly matter to them. It's easy to see when you constantly are checking your email, Twitter, Facebook accounts. It's easy to see FOMO when the first thing you grab every AM is your phone. Your ability to conceal or search out a matter reveals who's glory you are really after. Conceals A Matter: When you and I seek to bring Glory to God, we demonstrate the ability to "CONCEAL" what ppl who want their own glory, easily reveal. When you and I conceal a matter verses broadcasting it, we bring glory to God, not the matter. We do not reveal what's to remain concealed because of our Desire to please Him. This is tough because NOONE goes to a movie that doesn't have good drama and stays. Here's how things leak: Everyone has 2 close friends... You share something to one of your close friends that you trust, Then your close friends shares it with their other close friend in confidence. The issue is they have a second close friend, who they share it with In confidence. Then that person shares it with their close friend in confidence. And so it goes... When we bring Glory to God is when we learn to CONCEAL. Be bold enough to hold a matter, no matter what. Be courageous enough to admit to the person who has come to you to talk, that you struggle with keeping things concealed. Be secure enough to tell the person who is about to reveal a matter to keep it to their self. Let this filter be the gateway to what you talk about. When u CONCEAL a matter, you REVEAL THE GLORY OF GOD. When you REVEAL a matter, you CONCEAL THE GLORY OF GOD.(how's that for a tweet) Not only you, but use this filter by listening to the ppl who talk with you & you will easily find out who's glory they're after... Reveal His Glory. Hope I Helped, gw