Here comes 2014!

This year was honestly a test and struggle for me. As I dealt with the loss of my Dad, hit a stretch of depression and became so busy I lost some of my priorities. But through it all I have learned and I grew from my struggles and tests.

Here it is December 31st 11:51pm and 2014 is right around the corner and God is already beginning to put things into my mind and spirit.

I believe this will be our greatest year yet. As youth pastors, as husband and wife, as a brother and son, as a servant and as a child of God.

I believe BIG THINGS will happen in 2014. Blessing and Gifts will fall from heaven and I believe physically and spiritually God will bless this new year.

So let's get back! Let's get back to where we need to be. It doesn't matter how 2013 went because it's now in the past.
So let's get back what we've lost, let's gain back what we used to have, let's get back to where we need to be with God, serving his people and reaching out to this lost world! Let's get back in right standing with God and let's pursue him!

January 1st 2014 represents a fresh start for you. So what are you going to do with it?

"Drama" by Season 3 Intern Zachary James

"Drama" by Season 3 Intern Zachary James


 Drama.
Webster’s Dictionary describes drama as: “a state, situation, or series of events involving interesting or intense conflict of forces.” We all have/are/will use it. But what is the point?

Too many times do we consume into our worldly natures that we forget what we are here for. To praise and share the good news of God and what he has done for you. How can you praise God if you are too consumed with insignificant drama? It defiles what He has destined for you and consumes you to dwell without Him.

 Galatians 5:15 states, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” How can we expect to cause and dwell throughout dramatic situations and not allow for dramatic experiences to occur and dwell in/on us? For example, what makes us think we can play with snakes, and not worry about getting bit? If you are playing in the snakes, get out. If you don’t get out now, you are going to get bit. Do you want to get bit?

 Drama is one of the most destructive forces of friendships and families. It causes rifts to open up and destroy relationships among people. There is too much drama in the world now a day. Even on television and magazines, drama is what highlights the “front cover” and what peeks our interest. We are attracted to drama. It is our human and worldly natures that want us to succumb to it. Drama causes relationships to burn and crumble every day.

“I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5: 16-17). God wants us to live like he did. We cannot live like he did if we constantly are involving ourselves into dramatic situations. Life is too short for the need for our lives to be filled with drama.
 
What compels you to cause and succumb to drama? Is it the need to feel noticed? Why? God notices you. Every single day, single hour, single minute, single second you are noticed…By Him. His love is relentless unto you. Don’t feel like you are unnoticed. You are His precious child and he thinks about you every second. He just wants you!

Overall, I guess I am just trying to challenge you. If you can’t start putting away that drama and start living in the now for Christ, how can you do what you were created to do? So, right now as your reading this, stop the drama. It is not worth it. God is worth it. Don’t wait. Start right now. Don’t allow for drama to define your life. Let GOD be YOUR defining moment!
 
And in the words of Daryl, Drama is a bunch of “bullshalogna!” Haha.

God's Love & Forgiveness by Haylie Season 3 Intern

God's Love & Forgiveness

About a year ago I read this book called 'The Shack'. The book is about a man named Mack, whose daughter is murdered and he has complete hate in his heart for the man who killed his daughter, named Missy. In 'The Shack', Mack comes face to face with God (Who is called "Papa"). 

Here is a little dialogue between Papa (God) and Mack:

"How can I ever forgive the man who killed my Missy. If he were here today, I don't know what I would do. I know it isn't right, but I want him to hurt like he hurt me...If I can't get justice, I still want revenge." 

Papa simply let the torrent rush out of Mack, waiting for the wave to pass.

"Mack, for you to forgive this man is for you to release him to me and allow me to redeem him." 

"Redeem him?" Again Mack felt the fire of anger and hurt. "I don't want you to redeem him! I want you to hurt him, to punish him, to put him in hell..." His voice trailed off. 

Papa waited patiently for the emotions to ease. 

"I'm stuck, Papa. I just can't forget what he did, can I?" Mack implored.

"Forgiveness is not about forgetting, Mack. It is about letting go of another person's throat."

"But I thought you forget our sins?"

"Mack, I am God. I forget nothing. I know everything. So forgetting for me is the choice to limit myself. Son," Papa's voice got quiet and Mack looked up at him, directly into his deep brown eyes, "because of Jesus, there is now no law demanding that I bring your sins back to mind. They are gone when it comes to you and me, and they run no interference in our relationship."

"But this man..."

"But he too is my son. I want to redeem him."

"So what then? I just forgive him and everything is okay, and we become buddies?" Mack stated softly but sarcastically.

"You don't have a relationship with this man, at least not yet. Forgiveness does not establish a relationship. In Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me, but only some choose a relationship. Mackenzie, don't you see that forgiveness is an incredible power - a power you share with us, a power Jesus gives to all whom he indwells so that reconciliation can grow? When Jesus forgave those who nailed him to the cross they were no longer in his debt, nor mine. In my relationship with those men, I will never bring up what they did, or shame them, or embarrass them."

 

After I read this book I gained more of an understanding of God's grace and forgiveness for us. You see, even though that man, that horribly screwed up man, had killed an innocent little girl God still loved him. God still WANTED to forgive him and give him redemption. Why? Because that man was still God's son and no matter what he had done, including killing that little girl, God still loved him and forgave him. It's the same with us. No matter what we do God still loves and forgives us. Because we too are God's children. 

People seem to categorize sins and I'm just astonished by that. People think that if you do a certain thing that you instantly become unforgivable and unlovable. Those people couldn't be any more wrong. 

Ephesians 2:3-6 says, "All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus."

God's everlasting, never ending, grace and mercy for us is astounding. I'm just amazed at how much God really loves each and every one of us. God's love and grace is so incomprehensible that it drives me mad at times, because I just can't grasp the kind of love that he has for us. 

And that's just the thing guys, we will never be able to understand the kind of love that God has for us. But you have to realize, that it doesn't matter what you've done, what you're doing, or what you will do in years to come. You have to realize that it doesn't matter if you've killed someone, like the man in 'The Shack', or if you've just lied to someone. You have to realize and truly understand that it doesn't matter what you've done. No matter what you've done God will ALWAYS love you. God will ALWAYS forgive you. God is crazy about you. He's so crazy about you that he will forgive you no matter what you've done. 

A few months ago I was at this point in my life where I thought all hope was lost for me. I thought that God couldn't possibly love me. That God just didn't have grace for me. That God could NEVER forgive someone like me. But one night, at church, I was praying. And it was like I could hear God talking to me. Saying, "It doesn't matter what you've done. I don't care that you've done those things. You're still my daughter and I will always love you no matter what. I forgive you." And that's when it really clicked; I had finally gotten it. I finally understood what God had been trying to tell me for the past 6 years. 

So just know that God loves you. He forgives you. And his grace for you is real. 

"Fear not, for I am with you" by James Southern Season 3 Intern

Isaiah 41:10-11 (NKJV) "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

 

Too many people in this world are stuck living in fear.

Especially when it comes down to our youth, they face problems after problems, every single day.

Whether it's family issues, depression, or even drug use and addictions.

 

Constant fear should not be struck upon anyone, but sadly, it is. When someone doesn't know God, they are forced to fear. They have no knowledge that God will protect them.

For when you call upon him, he is there.

 

When a person is in doubt of having love, or protection; The simplest reminders could help. I have a personal friend who has a ring that quotes this scripture. When she is feeling lost or afraid, it reminds her that she has no need to fear, that her God is with her.

 

For God's love is the strongest bond you can ask for. Simply being in his presence, being in the light, is enough to make you fall to your knees. When you know him, life's challenges don't seem so challenging. When you know that he is with you, all fears should fade away.

 

Call on him.

 

 

 

-James Southern

 Season 3 OneWay Intern

"Show Love" by Marcus Hernandez Season 3 OneWay Intern

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22) 

Many times we'll read the word and say "I can do that." Then we go out and we're still the same. We don't try to change or anything, we will help people when they're hurting or in trouble at the time, but do we show true love and compassion? 

Are we really doing as The Lord has asked, loving Him with all our heart and showing love to one another? 

We'd like to think that we show that love by doing as little as we can and staying ourselves. But we're not trying to change or even show real love. 

Why are we staying the same and letting others fall? Because we're too selfish to sacrifice our time to help others or even text them and ask how they are! No, it's all about us and what I'm gonna look like or what people will think of me.

Why not step out in love and in faith for our Lord Jesus, who gave everything for us! Truly open your hearts and minds to God's plan and love. 

Search for God's love so that you can show love to others. So then compassion, kindness and joy will follow. God wants you to be happy, but he also wants us to share that with others. 

If you really wanna feel love then show pure love! :) 

-Marcus Hermandez 

 Season 3 OneWay Intern

The Point Of Christ by Madison Wilborn (OneWay Season 3 Intern)

I want to take some time to talk about this love that God has for us. It’s something that I can’t seem to get over. It’s actually something I will never get over. There’s this song by Bethel Live called “Closer”. It says, “Your love is so much sweeter than anything I’ve tasted. I want to know Your heart.” I don’t think they could of said it any better.
 
A lot of us have trouble fully grasping how much God really loves us. I know I do. To think that someone endured crucifixion with me in mind… That’s absolutely crazy. But that’s our God. He’s so absolutely and utterly crazy about us.
Psalm 139:1-6 says, “God investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to You; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there too – your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful – I can’t take it all in!”
God knows our pain, our failures, our mistakes. He knows our heart…no matter how much we think we can hide from Him. But yet, He still thinks of us as treasure – as so precious and worthy of this love that He has for us. His true and crazy love.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
All throughout the Bible we can read about Jesus forgiving the “notorious” sinners. You see, God didn’t just love them in their repentance and faith, He loved them in their sin. Their ugly sin. There’s nothing that any of us could do that could make God stop loving us. We get so entirely caught up in right and wrong, in “oh they’re not living right”, and in rules that we totally forget the point of Christ. Love. When we over-analyze and over-complicate, we miss out. We miss out on a life filled with grace, forgiveness, and love.We make Christianity so complicated but Jesus laid it out quite simple.

Mark 12:29-31 says,“ Jesus said, ‘The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.’”
So basically what Jesus is saying here is, “I love you. Love me. Love others.” That’s Jesus’ entire message summed up into about seven words. I don’t know about y’all but when God spoke that to me, I had breakthrough. Jesus doesn’t make it complicated, we make it complicated.
I challenge you to truly and honestly focus on love. The point of Christ. It has the power to change your perspective and change your heart.

Madison Wilborn
OneWay Season 3 Intern
www.onewaysm.org
www.facebook.com/onewaynewcaney

Summer is over, #itstime for school to start. (part 2)

Summer is over, #itstime for school to start (part 1) brings us to this past week where we had our annual "Back 2 School Bash" at One Way and just like every youth group our numbers were lower in the summer months then when school is in session but this past Wednesday we broke through with over 200+ in attendance again.

Our good friend Randy Lawrence spoke this service and we had an amazing service. It was an epic way to end the summer and end an amazing series #soulution.

And that brings us to this weekend, Labor Day weekend.

So far it's been an awesome weekend as we catch up on some well deserved R&R. And as I relax this weekend I can't help but think about all of our students who call One Way their youth group/church.

Once again school is upon us and as we begin to wrap up our 5th year of youth ministry I have noticed something trendy with students.

Even though we spend so much time fighting the fads and trends and the peer pressure that surrounds us as school approaches this Tuesday, I can see students who are beginning to lose what they found this summer. If it's because of language or because they are getting involved in sports again (we all know the pressure of fitting in with your teammates) I see students who at one point in time this summer became so on FIRE for God that they challenged my own commitment and walk w/Christ, so easily start to slip back into the way things were before summer.

It's a struggle I believe most youth pastors have and are aware of. But why is it? Even growing up in a youth group myself I experienced this and had friends who did the same. Why is it so hard to stay on fire for God? It makes it so easy for me to step back and ask the question that I hate to ask but that question we're all thinking; "Was it really true? Did they really experience God? Was it real?"

This year my wife and I plan on taking on this challenge and these questions more than I believe most youth pastors usually do.

As we kick off a new series in September called #itstime and we hope to challenge and bring up a lot of these questions and topics. We hope to challenge the students to truly live out their faith at school. To stop playing games and conforming to the world and LIVING a Christian Lifestyle in, around and among their friends.

One of our themes for this month is the idea of "going public" with our faith. What better timing to challenge students then to ask them to do TWO things that completely take them out of their comfort zone and that's what we plan to do at the end of the month.

Wednesday, September 25th will be a make it or break it kind of day.
First that morning will be the annual global event called See You At The Pole where thousands of students across the world gather together and pray at their schools flag pole. What better way to stand out and tell everyone at your school about your faith then PRAYING in front of your school as everyone else goes inside.

Then that night we hope to be one of the most powerful nights EVER at OneWay. We are doing BAPTISMALS, we are allowing sign ups but we are also planning on doing spontaneous baptisms for anyone wanting to take a stand, make a change and go public with their faith.

So pray for us this month as we GO BIG or GO HOME....

For more information on our youth group please check us out online at www.onewaysm.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/onewaynewcaney

#itstime

-Pastor Phil

Summer is over, #itstime for school to start. (part 1)

Well, it's been a while since we have posted a blog on here but #itstime to get it back up
and updated and ready to go.

This year and this summer has been such a life-changing year for me. In my personal life, marriage
and in our ministry.

As many of you know I lost my Dad this past winter, soon after God really begin to bless our youth group as we hit all-time record attendance in April. Then before we knew it SUMMER '13 was here!

This summer was nothing short of CRAZY! I mean at one point in time we didn't stop going and hanging out with the students and doing ministry for about a 6 week stretch.

With summerfest, national convention, 4 weeks of summer camps, 3 student deaths and the regular
crazy busy summer schedule that all of us youth pastors have (if you are one then you know what I mean) it was definitely a summer to go down in the record books.

We were blessed to see over a 115 students from OneWay get to experience some sort of Summer Camp Experience either from Impact East Texas, Discovery Camp or OneWay Camp "Relentless"

Over 40+ students were baptized in the holy spirit this summer and dozens and dozens of decisions were made (first time and recommitments)

Like I said this year has been nothing short of a life changing year for us.

And through all the high's and all the low's (and there have been some serious lows) I can honestly
say this year has forced me to grow and mature in every area of my life.

And all these things have lead up to August. And after dealing with all the issues we have this summer we kicked off a new campaign at OneWay called "Soulution" which was originally only meant for a teaching series has now turned into a HUGE ministry outreach within our own youth group.

Soulution is a ministry that entangles an Anonymous Hotline that any student can text or call when needing answers to questions, going through some tough situations like depression, suicidal thoughts and dealing with addictions. In the month of August we have received over 200 texts from students who had tough life situations that they were dealing with. And so unlike a lot of ministries out there we took on the challenge with the love of Christ and met it HEAD ON!

Now Soulution is a permanent part of our ministry and we still continue to get messages weekly from hurting and lost students who need encouragement and someone to care

(To Be Continued.....)

Old has gone, new has come

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You are so loved that whenever you are in Christ and you start that relationship you aren't who you were.

It is gone, you are not who you were anymore, theres no more hold on you. So let it go and give it to God, because He's has so much better planned for you, but if His child will not let go of what happened then how can He help you move on and show you the plans He has for you?

The devil is not your master so do not follow him or listen to his taunting. God will take care of all your problems, if you totally give everything you have to The Father then there is no way that the devil can get a hold on you.

Live for God and know you are new!

Do good !

And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

We'll all have long days sometimes.

Days when we're exhausted and worn out, but never miss that chance to do the right thing or what is good, because you could be missing a chance to show God's love, you maybe the only blessing that someone would have in their life.

No things aren't always easy and God never promised that, he just promised it would be worth it to follow Him.

When you bless someone you'll get something better than anything in this world. So show God's love!

www.onewaysm.org

Let us love one another

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7, 8)

Do we love like God does or do we just have certain people that we talk to and show God's love to?

If God is love and we love like Him then we are from Him, but do we live like God does or what we think love is?

Show love to everyone whether a stranger friends or family! Sometimes you have to work at it and truly want to love but never lose sight of God and His love for you, because if you think He doesn't then that's just satan lying to you!

You are loved more than you can imagine by our Father in Heaven!

So lets love one another.

Week 3 of Storytellers is this Wednesday night at 7pm! Come join us!

www.onewaysm.org

Today's devotional by Marcus Hernandez 4/5

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7)

There are things in life, when you hear them you start to freak out and you may even think "How am I gonna do this? I've messed up so bad! Nothing can fix me! How can anyone care for me?"

But, there is a God out there that loved us and covers all these things! He will show you that your life is worth fighting for! He'll show you that He cares and that He won't let you down! He'll show you that love exists and it is pure and true! :)

So, call on Jesus and know that he has a plan out there for you and your life :)

-Marcus

Note-
Marcus Hernandez is a student leader at One Way Student Ministries & is currently very passionate about writing short devotionals every day which he sends out via text, Facebook, email and now through our One Way blog!

The next time your at One Way find Marcus and introduce yourself!


As always for more info on One Way you can visit our web site at www.onewaysm.org

-One Way

Short Devotional 4/4

    “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are 
    ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes,
    or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:15, 16)

    Are we wolves wrapped in sheep's clothing?
    Do we speak God's word and pray for God's will to be done, but then go out and sin?
    Do you treat everyone the same with love and open arms?
    Or is it just a select few of friends that you know and they are all you talk to and actually are kind  
    too? Without showing anyone else that love Christ showed you and you keep it bottled up.

    Why not make a change and show everyone God's love and shine like a light for Jesus!

    Don't forget we are currently in the middle of our Beats Giveaway at One Way!
   
    For more information please visit us at www.onewaysm.org

 

 

April @ One Way

 

The Month of April is coming up quick and although we want to take our time with Easter being next week and all WE ARE PUMPED for what is going down in April!

We are kicking off a brand new series titled "Storytellers" at One Way! Every person and every life has a story to tell, everyone of us go through things that maybe we can or cannot relate with others.

No matter what your story is your life and the story you are writing is important so get excited and meet us here Wednesday Nights at 7pm! OH AND WAIT!

 

Did we mention that on April 24th we are giving away a brand new pair of BEATS? Yes that's right we are Wednesday, April 24th at 7pm! Do you want to know how you can enter the competition? Contact us via the web page at www.onewaysm.org or facebook at

www.facebook.com/onewaynewcaney

 

April is gonna be an amazing month! Let's get excited!

 

-Pastor Phil & Kayla

Moving Forward

Just had a few thoughts to share with you tonight in a blog called "Moving Forward"

Life throws alot of curve balls are way, things we never expect to happen simply happen.
This thing called life is unpredictable, there's only one who knows what happened in the past, what happened earlier today and what will happen tomorrow, the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever and that person is Jesus Christ.

The last month has been one of the hardest months of my life, losing my dad a few days after Christmas.

With life and death the simple things have started meaning something new to me.
Spending time with your wife, siblings and parents is priceless. Keeping those who mean something close to you and sharing your life with them is essential.

So, many times in my life I have been guilty of getting "caught up" with things that mean nothing at the end of the day. If it's a fight or argument with a family member, if it's allowing my feelings to be hurt by someone whose intentions weren't of that.

Whatever it was, like alot of people I would allow it to rule my life for a short time and to be honest sometimes longer than that.

But what I have discovered within the last 30 days of my life is that all these things "of the world" mean nothing. At the end of the day all that matters is your family and your friends.

With all that said there's only one thing to do when we come to this moment, this crossroads in life and that is to MOVE FORWARD! Don't dwell in what has happened but LIVE and BE in the moment that you are in right now!

Too many times have I been guilty of living in yesterday or even tomorrow. But how many times do we truly live for today, how many times do we live up to the potential that today has offered us?

For me the answer to that question used to be rarely, but from now I'm moving forward and I choose to live in the moment, I choose to live for today.

God's word says that we do not know what tomorrow may hold. God's word says that there is time and a season for everything, but one thing that always remains, in my humble opinion is that no matter what season our life may be in we should be living our lives with every ounce of LIFE we can.

Give it all you got! Waste your energy, tire yourself out! Give it everything you have and chase after God! Seize the day, because after all we will only live once here on earth but the life you live right now determines where you will spend eternity!

So, I challenge you to make this committment as I do for myself.

Tomorrow, wake up and thank God for another day of life, tell the ones you that you love them, lead those who follow you, encourage those who are down and share the love of God with EVERYONE you come into contact with! Don't hold your opinion back, don't leave things unsaid, but in everything BE WHO God created you to be!

I love you all and I am excited about what today will bring us!

Pastor Phil

"Fearless" Girls Conference 2013

FEARLESS GIRLS CONFERENCE

One Way is hosting a Girls Conference Friday & Saturday
February 22-23 starting at 7pm!

This event is totally FREE to Girls from age 12 and up!

At this event you'll learn how to be fearless, living in God's love and all he has planned for your life.

Psalm 27:1 (MSG) Says
Light, space, zest-
That's God!
So with him on my side, I'm fearless.
Afraid of no one and nothing.

Guest speakers at this event include Teen Skiles & Rhonda Davis from Dallas, Texas.

Both dinner and breakfast will be provided to participants of the conference.

And we are looking forward to One Big Pajama Party Friday night after service!

To find out more information or to RSVP for the event please visit our web site or facebook page at:

www.onewaysm.org or

http://www.facebook.com/events/314364502013734/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_user_joined

To view our Promo Video Please Click Below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvcQjE9KfBQ