Where God Can Blow Your Mind!

Recently during my quiet time, I have thought about Shabbach Masters Commission slogan, “Where God can blow your mind!” While thinking about that phrase I pictured what this year at Masters is going to be like.  I began to think about what I want to get out of this year, what I want God to do me, and how I want God to just blow my mind out of the waters. 

Have you ever seen a 5 year old getting ready to start kindergarden and how he has so much excitement and has big dreams and expectancy for his first year of school? I’m that 5 year old getting ready to start my second year of Masters Commission. I have realized lately that everything you do and decisions you make will either move you forward or set you back to reaching what & where God has for you. So as I walk into Shabbach MC 2013, I enter with a mindset that everything that I am handed to do, is going to prepare me for the mission field. Everything that is being poured into me needs to be soaked up like a sponge and applied to my daily lifestyle. 

Every decision I make needs to be thought of in the way of “is this going to benefit me or set me back in the long run.” In order for me to gain anything from this year, I need to take it in myself. You can have someone pour and pour into you but if you never stretch out your hand and grab it, you will never receive what they are saying to you. This year I am entering into a year where i want EVERYTHING that is being poured into me, and I want to run with it. I want to allow what’s being poured into me to advance me to much greater things that God has in store for me. 

Blessings,

Katlyn

Life Song

A simple reflection from a Shabbach Master's Commission student. 

Nine months ago, I was a nervous wreck, stepping off of an airplane in faith, not really knowing what I was getting myself into, but going where I heard God loud and clear tell me to go. I can do nothing but thank God for everything He has done in such a short time! 

Recently, as I was spending time with the Lord, reflecting on my first year here at Shabbach Master's Commission, I had my guitar in my arms and was just sitting on my front porch steps singing with the birds. I began to think about the fact that if someone would have said to me even a couple of years ago that I would be sitting here right now, I would have told them to go play in traffic, at that time I was a lot more interested in doing what I wanted to do without care of what God wanted for me. That is because a couple of years ago I was attempting to direct my own life. As I was thinking about that, the Lord spoke to me, "You cannot direct something correctly that you did not compose or that you haven't read the music to" 

It hit me hard as I let those words marinate. Music is my heartbeat, when I think of a director and a composer I think of an orchestra. To compose means: "to form by putting together" The composer of the music, takes time, effort, heart, and passion to compose the beautiful music the way he/she intends it to sound. To direct means: "to dominate and determine the course of" Isn't it funny? God has composed the music for our lives, just as He intends it to sound. However, He gives us free will, allowing us to direct whether we hit all of the right notes or not. God has given us an entire book of music to read. That is, what HE has written.

Psalm 37:23 says that "A person's steps are made secure by the LORD when they delight in his way." The music is already written for your life, the greatest composer has already finished it. The question is, are YOU taking time to read the music, and making your life a sweet symphony to God's ears? Or are you taking advantage of the fact that you are the director, and hitting all flat notes? I would strongly encourage you to make time to read your song. Ask the composer what you can do to help the song of your life sound beautiful. James 1:22-24 "But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." Don't just hear the music, play it, sing it, live it. 

Proverbs 14:15 "The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps." 

If it is not in the music, don't play it, sing it, or live it!

Just Me,

Tami Shroll

Humility at the Derby

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May 6th 2013

Humility at the Derby

ShabbachMC, along with Pastor Michael Goins and Patrick Goins, spent our time working the Kentucky Derby this week.  We would start our mornings at 5:00AM bright and early so that we could arrive at Churchill Downs by 5:30AM.  It was after the first morning that I realized that this week was going to be a character building week for me.  Most of my day consisted of carrying food and drinks up and down "The Beast" for other workers and clients.  Now before I go any further I should probably describe what "The Beast" is.  The Beast was a huge structure with six flights of stairs on it.  In the structure were different rooms where clients could eat and hang out on different floors.  While this was no easy task on its on, the heat and… sometimes uncooperative clients made for a long 12 to 16 hour day of work. 

By the third morning of RISE AND SHINE my bad attitude had already been set.  While on break that day however another group, also working the derby, helped change my outlook on the situation.  I noticed that even though they were just as tired and sore as I was none of them were complaining.   Their leader then explained that by starting a day negative it can make the rest of our day just as negative.  After being around this group for a day I noticed myself trying to complain less and focus my attention on the good.  Their positive outlook and willingness to serve was encouraging and contagious.

One of the last days of the Derby we had to be at work before sunrise.  I found myself at the top of The Beast looking down on the track while the sun came up.  Down on the track a few of the trainers had their horses out warming up for the days events.  While looking out at them I realized why God makes beautiful moments like the one I was experiencing.  I believe that God gives us moments like that so that we have to stop the hustle of our day and just admire His work.  Starting out my day with that picture made me want to make the rest of my day positive. How much better would our days be if we just took time in the morning to notice God?  Even though it wasn't always easy, for the rest of our duration I did my best to focus on how I could make the clients time more enjoyable than my own.  Being at the Kentucky Derby wasn't about what I could get as much as it was about clients seeing how real Children of God work and serve.  What beauty is God trying to paint for you this week?  Maybe starting your day with Him will give you just the right start to bring clarity into the rest of your day. Don't let The Beast distract you from the real picture! 

Have a blessed week,

Keyona

The Beast

The Real Picture

How to Win Friends & Influence People

        In Shabbach MC we are assigned a book to read each month as well as completing a chapter summary. This month we are reading Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends & Influence People"   The first part of this book focuses on "three fundamental techniques in handling people." Don't criticize, condemn or complain, Give honest and sincere appreciation, Arouse in the other person an eager to want. 

        "Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person's precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses resentment." Criticizing someone is easy but finding good in their fault can be difficult. We can often go about our day casting blame where we think blame is due. It is much easier to make someone else the cause for our pain then ourselves. Author Dale Carnegie touched on the subject by using Al Capone as an example. Al Capone said " I have spent the best part of my life giving people the lighter pleasures, helping them have a good time, and all I get is abuse." It was easier for Al Capone to blame other people for where he was than to see that he was his biggest enemy. Instead of looking for places to cast the blame this week try to focus on what you can fix in yourself, and/or find good in the person who, in your eyes, is to blame. 

      " We provide them with roast beef and potatoes to build energy, but we neglect to give them kind words of appreciation that would sing in their memories for years like the music of the morning stars." Are you spewing flattery or giving genuine appreciation? The definition of "flattery" is " excessive and insincere praise, that is given to further one's own interests." Are you saying nice things for your own selfish motives or are your intentions true? This week is a good week to focus on others; Seek after random acts of kindness as each day passes. Carpe Diem.

       " If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own." There are a lot of people who are only concerned with themselves.  Someone who can put aside their own selfish desires for others is admirable. Philippians 2:3 " Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Even if you don't agree with a point of view, its wise to be able to understand other prospectives. We spend enough time wrapped in our own busy lives but we MUST try to train ourselves to follow in His footsteps and we will discover a life of selflessness.

Have a blessed week,

Keyona

Verse of the week: Philippians 2:4 - Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Leadership

 Sight, voice, touch, smell, and hearing.  In order to create effective leadership one should be able to tap into these senses on a regular basis.  From the start we must have vision.  Without vision, your team and/or your youth group will drift away until there is nothing.  So, how do you see with the eyes of a leader?  I'm so glad you asked!  The Lord will provide vision and sometimes, that may come from another person.  Stick to your vision, even when those around may mock or disagree with it.

"People won't walk across the street to hear my voice but will come around the world to hear the gospel."  I have heard PG say this multiple times.  Its the God in you that makes the difference.  Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."  God uses us to help others as long as we have an open mind and heart.  Proverbs 23:7 "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he" When we become praise focused we allow ourselves to speak power which could be monumental to one seeking direction.

In 1 Peter he says imitation of Christ requires walking in this world the way Jesus walked.  Its important to realize that God uses us to do His work.  When you are transparent with God and allow Him to touch your life it will become the reason you do what you do.  In doing this, you open yourself up to receive the healing God has for you.

What do you smell like?  Effective leaders hear things differently, talk differently, and think differently.  So again, what do you smell like?  When you are gone from a room does your scent linger?  Wherever we are we are leaving a trail, make sure yours is the fragrance of a King.

Leaders have a trained ear.  It doesn't just come one day.  When you hear the voice of the Lord, things change.  The closer you get, the clearer things become.  

I have heard of people that question His existence because the lack of one or more of these senses.  But this is the way the Lord communicates to His leaders.  He isn't missing or absent you just have to recognize the way He chooses to communicate with you.

Have a blessed week,

Keyona

Verse of the week: Hebrews 13:7 "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith"

Shabbach Conference PF - Nic Kennington

This is my fifth year attending Shabbach and my first year as a volunteer staff member.  I came this weekend with the mindset that God was going to use me in a mighty way and I was blown away with what He did.  He not only used me to change other people’s lives but he also touched me.  I was on the altar team and after Pastor Daniel Gray’s message Friday night, the altar was full of kids looking for salvation.  We, the altar team, were moving from teenager to teenager praying for salvation and breakthroughs in every teenager’s life there.  I was going so fast that I didn’t see the big picture that was taking place right before my eyes, so I just went right on my way praying for every teenager that I could reach.  The next night was when I had my God experience.  That night, Pastor Glenn Walters spoke on the woman with the issue of blood and how she was scared and bleeding.  I was privileged to be able to sit on stage with Eddie James’ crew and The Shabbach Master Commission that night and listen to Pastor Glenn’s message up close.  I don’t know why, but being up on stage made the message so much better and so much more real to me because I was able to be a part of the message.  When Glenn made the altar call for all the kids that were bleeding, I could see the multitude of people flock to the front praying for their needs.  That’s when I saw the big picture, that the labor is much but the laborers are few.  This world needs disciples and I have to be one of those disciples.  I quickly ran off stage and started to pray for teens again.  There was a lot more teens this night then there was Friday night, which meant that we had to work harder to reach all of the teens.  I found myself looking around in the middle of the crowd and saw all of the people that were slain in the Spirit and speaking in tongues because they had just been healed from their pain and their bondages were broken.  I then started to praise the Almighty God for what He had done that night and for what He was going to do the rest of the weekend.  After every Shabbach I come back different from when I left, and this time was no exception. I came back knowing that God had used me to my fullest ability.  I know that God had accomplished amazing things in my life and the lives of others.
 
-Nic Kennington
(future SMC, South Carolina)

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SMC Student - Reflections on Myrtle Beach Conference (pt 5)

This year was my first year attending Shabbach; and it was quite an experience! I have attended several youth conferences in the past but none can compare to this experience. I was blown away at first by the worship. The crowd seemed to dive right in. I have noticed that most congregations are looking for entertainment. After a while they may clap or raise their hands, but you must entertain them first. Shabbach seemed completely different. I could feel the presence of the Lord as soon as I stepped into the theater. I could tell that the worship team had spent many hours praying and seeking the Lord about which songs to sing. They brought the crowd immediately into the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Another thing that I noticed was each speaker for each night brought a message that spoke to everyone’s heart and was exactly what they needed to hear. The timing was impeccable. I knew it was a God thing. From the very first service, to the very last, I could not wait to hear or see what God was going to do next. On the first night, Reggie Dabbs spoke, he preached on Adam and Eve in the garden. I have heard and read this story multiple times, yet the way he broke it down it spoke to my heart. There was an estimated count of five hundred and nine that responded to the alter call. What do you think of that? I have never seen so many people rushing to the alter. Praise the Lord!! 

I had such a great time! From the worship, to the sermons, to the staff and attendees, I have never seen so many people so excited and blessed to be in the presence of God. It truly cannot be explained, only experienced!

Jennifer

(North Carolina )