Doubt - The Emotion that Forces us to Choose

This Sunday I had the opportunity to preach on the emotion of Doubt. This message is something that we as individuals need to be reminded of on a daily basis. The anti-thesis or the remedy for our doubt is faith and trust!

Here are some good reminders when you are struggling with doubts and questions:

- Doubt forces us to choose! We can either acknowledge God's power in our life and step through doubt in faith or we can allow doubt to paralyze us!
- Doubt is the trigger by which we choose to follow God and get stronger! If we did not struggle with doubt than our faith would not get stretched. God uses our doubts to push our faith forward.
- God plus you equals the majority! Doubt isolates people and we feel alone. If you feel like a nobody or a nothing with God you are a somebody!
- God blesses those who takes steps of faith in Him!
- The Christian life ain't boring because when you step through doubt you are riding on the front waves of faith!
- When you succumb to doubt you completely take yourself out! If we go into battle thinking we are going to lose than lose we will indeed.
- Doubt is Satan's primary weapon! Satan's gameplan was to plant seeds of doubt into Adam and Eve's mind and his gameplan today is to do the same to believers. His tactic has not changed for thousands of years!
- The end by-product of doubt is desperation! Doubt leads believers to settle in our lives, a loss of hope, and eventually to desperation. We can though have victory if we step out in faith!

"God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20)

 

 

God wants to speak through our doubts in immeasurable ways!

In SICKNESS and in Health - Get Better Kim

I have known my wife for over three years and I have never seen her sick........until today.

This morning, therefore, I had to go shopping to pick up the typical sick supplies. You know the Soup, Gatorade, Flu medicine stuff.

As I was traveling to Meijer's a few thoughts crossed my mind.

1. I am only 'repaying' Kim a small part of what Kim has done for me. My wife has been faithful and loyal in cleaning, making dinners, and rushing me to the hospital while I was struck with a Kidney stone. (see http://cosentinoquickfix.blogspot.com/2014/01/what-kidney-stone-will-teach-you.html) Compared to what she has done for me, this is only a small way to show my love for her.

2. God created the husband and wife relationship for stability. Everyone needs someone they can 'lean on' from time to time. This time my wife is leaning on me, but I will need her support and to lean on her too down the road (sooner rather than later).

3. It's time to live out my wedding vows. I made sure that in my vows I kept part of the traditional wedding vows to love my wife in sickness and in health. During my drive to pick up the supplies there was some excitement and joy as I was delivering on my promises.

Let's be honest: being sick is never enjoyable!

Best wishes to a speedy recovery Kim!

You can NOT out ENTERTAIN the ENTERTAINMENT Industry - Youth Ministry

I am a youth pastor. I am not an entertainer.

The entertainment industry has been changing, modifying, and adapting over the ages. Teenagers have been engaged throughout most of their formative years by all forms of media, technology, and entertainment.  If a church builds a youth ministry that is entertainment and completely "fun" driven it will eventually lose it's appeal to teenagers. Why? Because teenagers are exposed to all forms of entertainment at the click of a mouse and the church cannot compete or keep up!

Here is the good news. Youth ministries are not called to entertain students but to make disciples. Luckily, teenagers aren't looking for just a fun time, but are looking for people who can give them answers to the hard questions and who will walk side by side in life with them.

Before being accused of being a kill joy let me confirm that I do believe that youth ministry should be fun and relevant. Our youth ministry uses Just Dance songs, YouTube videos, TV's, zany games, and a band. We use these things though to augment and to build up to the spiritual climax and mission of our youth services.

I have been to a number of retreats, conferences, and youth meetings. It is easy to see what the priority of the gathering truly is. Is the meeting emphasis to primarily have fun and to mix a little of Jesus in as well OR is the meeting emphasis more about encountering Jesus and having some fun is more of a byproduct of a missional mindset?

Therefore, there is more to youth ministry than just fun, pizza, pop, and video games. While it is fun, youth leaders are called to make disciples and to raise the next generation up to love the Lord which is hard work!

Do not try to out entertain your students compared with the entertainment industry. You will lose every time! Do try to provide an atmosphere of authenticity where Christ is preached in a fun and relevant way!

What A Pothole and Two Flat Tires will Teach You

I have had tires that have been leaking, that have had nails stuck in them, and that have had tar stuck on them. It has been since college though since I actually had a flat tire. This time though, I did not receive one flat tire but God decided to bless me with TWO flat tires (both on the right side of the vehicle).

It was late this past Monday Night as Kim and I were returning home from Pennsylvania and we were literally, three minutes and thirty seconds according to the GPS, away from home. Kim and I decided to take a back route to save time. Unfortunately, the road had suffered considerable damage and corrosion from snow ploughs and a hard winter. As we went down a hill there was a large pothole at the bottom ready to greet us. By the time we saw the large pothole (it took up half of our side of the road), it was too late. Both of our tires went into the pothole and instantly burst.

Here are some life and leadership lessons from this incident:
1. I was thankful for my Grandma's generosity. Every year she buys and renews a AAA membership for me. In less than an hour a tow truck came and towed our car back home (free of charge to us).
2. People do care and want to help out. As our car was sitting in someone's driveway a student that attends our youth program and was driving home from work stopped to check in on us. He was surprised to find out that it was his youth pastor that needed help! He allowed my wife to stay in his truck and stay warm while the tow truck came, hooked up our vehicle, and was ready to haul us home. God used that young man to be a refresher and an encouragement to us!
3. Watch the signs and markers around you. Before we hit our monster pothole there was a guy that had gotten a flat tire a few minutes earlier and who was putting his spare tire on in an empty church parking lot. We should have taken this as a warning that the road was in bad shape in more than one spot.
4. When life gives you lemons make lemonade! Instead of yelling and screaming we quickly assessed the damage, made the proper phone calls, and walked to document and take some pictures around the pothole. This helped relieve some anxiety and added some much needed fun to a stressful time.
5. Thankful that we have two cars! (I have respect for families who make it work with just one vehicle).
6. Without ministry friends and neighbors I'd be in trouble! Not only did God provide a student to encourage me while alongside of the road but a young man who is doing Fight Club (a Men's Discipleship Ministry in our church) and who is in my squad and who lives a couple of doors away from me was able to take my tires and rims off for me as he had the right equipment!
7. Take the hardships as a test from God! As much as I wanted to make excuses, complain, or accuse my wife I did my best to hold my tongue. Maybe God allowed this to happen to test me. If we take good from the Lord we must also allow him to use the bad to refine us!

 

In commemoration of two tires that willing gave their lives for Kim and I!

My FIRST close relationship with a STUDENT as a YOUTH LEADER!

Achieving firsts are always a big deal!

A young child's first steps, first night away from home, first day of school, first date, first kiss, the purchase of your first home......you get the point! The first experience or accomplishment is ALWAYS memorable and important.

I can remember the first student that I ever connected with and impacted as a leader.

I was a freshman at Lancaster Bible College and I knew that God was calling me into full-time ministry. I was given some opportunities to speak to the Jr. High Sunday School class at a nearby church.

If you want to test your "ministry mettle" what better place to start with than with Jr. Highers!?! Jr. Highers are impressionable, malleable, full of high energy, forgiving, and bluntly honest.

During my teaching times I noticed one young student taking notes and paying extra attention. I would always briefly interject one deep theological term each teaching session so that he could write it down and dialogue about it with his father.

The young man's curiosity about the Scriptures led to questions, which led to extended conversations, which led to pick-up basketball games, and which led finally to a close relationship. Eventually, I needed a place to stay for the summer as I interned at the church. I was given the opportunity to live with his family for a summer and then live with them for nine months after my college graduation.

I'm happy to say that the young Jr. Higher is now married (to another former Jr. Higher student of mine), is leading worship and working with teenagers in the same youth group, and most importantly is walking with the LORD!

Ministry connects and brings people together! I never would have thought that as a college student a few teaching opportunities to the Jr. Highers would lead to a deep friendship with a student and his family!

Proud of you Allan Dunk! Happy to call you friend and brother in Jesus!

 

Grateful to this family that "adopted" me while in college! It was great reconnecting this week.

An Older BROTHER Perspective - HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIANNE

"You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family." Luckily for me, God knows what is best because He specifically placed me into an incredible family!

As a three year old my world was rocked when my parents brought home a baby sister. Within the next few years my mind was boggled that this other sibling was created differently than me. I could not understand why my sister had different body parts, acted differently, and was more emotionally wired.

As time moved on and other young brothers came along it was easy to try and mold and treat my sister like another brother. People generally try to change others to fit a mold within their perspective  that is like them.

As I look back now I'm glad that God blessed me with a younger sister that is different than me. Her skills and giftedness have been a blessing to me. Marianne has helped me to shop for clothes, discuss relationship problems, and has always been around as a support system throughout the years.

She has endured endless pranks, countless sporting events, and manly body odors and jokes. She is a gifted connector of people and knows how to have some fun! She is an inspiration as she works hard to eat healthy and runs frequently!

I don't even think of March 17th as Saint Patrick's Day because it has a greater meaning within my life. March 17th is more importantly my sister Marianne's birthday!

Happy Birthday Marianne! I LOVE YOU and am so glad God put you in my life.

Proverbs 7:4 - Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” The point here is of proximity. It's important to be close to wisdom as well as your sister!

Happy Birthday Marianne! As you can tell from this picture us Cosentino men need you!

ONCE A STUDENT OF MINE......ALWAYS DEAR TO MY HEART!

I take relationships seriously.

 

I do not believe occurences and connections happen by chance. God is the Designer of all, including placing people into our lives! 

 

As a youth pastor student relationships are completely fluid. Students are growing up, involved with extra-curricular activities, and are busy just being typical teenagers.

 

Therefore, it is important that I am intentional about doing my best to foster and cultivate healthy relationships with students. That is why I constantly check social media, visit students during lunch and after school, and try to plan events and meetings times to connect. Let's face it: if the God of the Universe placed you in my path it's for a specific reason.

 

As a youth pastor I have the opportunity to walk with young people through some pretty pivotal and incredible times in their life. From break-ups, to graduations, to mission trips, to pranks, to eventual marriages I get a front row seat beside teens and their parents. (I do not take this fact lightly as I'm probably in numerous 'family' photos).

 

Through the journey some strong connections and relationships get built. I have come up with this saying and I truly mean it: "Once a student of mine, always dear to my heart!" I've had the opportunity to lead various youth programs, trips, and events. I believe God specifically placed me in the path of certain young people....and I am glad He did!

 

One of the biggest joys in ministry is being able to know that God placed you in a certain spot because he had a specific person or group of persons that he wanted you to influence.

 

3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than to see that my children are walking in the truth." Nothing brings me greater joy than watching young people get it and walk with Jesus!

 

I'm glad God placed YOU in my life for a specific reason!

 

My wife and I had the opportunity to eat lunch this past Sunday with some former students of mine!

 I LOVE and am PROUD of the people in this photo!