Author Archives: Justin

Nov 23

What I’m Thankful For

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We are only a few hours away from Thanksgiving Day so I thought I would list some of the things that I’m thankful for. Outside of the top 10, these are in no particular order.

1. God

2. Salvation

3. My beautiful wife Miranda

4. My first child that will be born in  January – I can’t wait to be a dad 🙂

5. My Family who helped make me the man I am today

6. The measure of health God has blessed me with

7. The Church Jesus purchased with His blood

8. The Bible

9. Church family at Karns who treats me not as a minister, but as a part of their family

10. Friends (past and present)

11. My  Job

12. The amazing young people I am privileged to work with on a daily basis

13. Working under a tremendous eldership who loves the Lord, loves the people and continues to love and support me even when I make mistakes

14. Freedom (both physical and spiritual)

15. The wonderful roof over my head which Miranda and I (along with baby Morton) call home

16. The ability to read and write

17. Education

18. America

19. Being raised in a godly, Christian home

20. The people who have invested time in me along the way

21. Books that inspire, challenge and educate me

22. The many clothes I have to wear

23. The food I have to eat even when I don’t need to eat 🙂

24. Abilities God has given me

25. Teachers who challenged me to always dig deeper

26. Grandparents who loved and still love me

27. Parents who, outside of my wife, are my biggest supporters

28. My in-laws who treat me as they would their own son

29. The relationships I’ve made over the course of my time in ministry

30. The young people I have met and worked with at camps, retreats and youth rallies over the years

31. The Christian examples I have learned from over the years

32. The challenges I have faced that have made me turn to God

33. Sports which allow me the opportunity for some down time

34. The ability to think and reason so that I am able to choose for myself

35. Every physical, material and spiritual blessing God has richly blessed me with

I could go on and on, but I will stop here because I’m sure you get the point. We all have so much in our lives to be thankful for. Let’s not take our blessings for granted, but always give God the praise and glory He is due.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Nov 17

God Doesn’t Throw In The Towel

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The college football season is almost over, and once again many fans all across the nation have already given up on their team for this season. They have witnessed all the loses they can take and have moved on to something besides college football. Honestly, I’m about to that point myself. Watching our team struggle week in and week out is beyond frustrating for the fan base. I have listened to a number of fans call in to the local sports talk show and vent time and time again. I have heard more than one caller state their intention to throw in the towel and hope next year is better.

One day as I was driving home from the office listening to another fan’s extreme anger, I began to think about how many people are willing to give up on a team, friend, or family member. Many times we give up on others because we can’t watch them struggle and make one bad decision after another. Eventually, we throw in the towel and give up on that person or group of people. If you have not done this yourself, you probably know someone who has. It’s prevalent in our society today.

As I began thinking about this, it hit me; God is the exact opposite of us when it comes to giving up on people. We are the kind of people who eventually give up on those who struggle and make mistakes.  We get frustrated or angry and simply quit. God is the kind of God who never gives up on those who struggle and make mistakes. He remains steadfast and true to them. Take Peter for instance: how many times did Peter struggle and mess up? Well, you had the time he rebuked Jesus openly, the time he took his eyes off Jesus, the time he denied Jesus in the presence of His enemies, the time…I think you get the point. Peter was the kind of person who you and I probably would give up on over time. Eventually, we would get to the point where we think Peter is hopeless, kind of the way I feel about my favorite football team this season. However, God is not that way. God never throws in the towel on His children.

Peter was the apostle chosen to stand at the forefront on the Day of Pentecost and preach to the people (Acts 2). Peter was the apostle chosen to deal with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). Peter was the apostle chosen to carry the gospel message to the Gentile nation (Acts 10). Peter was one of only three apostles chosen by Jesus to go with Him into the inner part of the garden while He prayed (Matt. 26). In spite of all his blunders and mistakes, God never once gave up on Peter or said, “Maybe he will be better next year.” God continually supported Peter and waited on him to turn things around.

Perhaps, instead of throwing in the towel on my favorite team at this point, what my team really needs is a fan that isn’t going to throw in the towel. Maybe, just maybe, what they need is a fan who is there to support them even in the midst of such struggles, waiting for them to turn the corner onto something better. If this college football season has taught me anything, it has taught me the need to learn patience for the struggles and failures of myself and others.

Peter said, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Peter would have understood God’s patience toward mankind perhaps better than anyone! I’m thankful we serve a God who never throws in the towel on His children, no matter how much we struggle or mess up.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Nov 08

Reflections On Our Fall Youth Retreat

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Last weekend our young people and several adults spent the weekend in Pigeon Forge studying about the Great I Am. We had a wonderful weekend praising God as well as spending time enjoying each other’s company. This past week I spent some time reflecting on our weekend together and the things I learned. I thought I would share some of these with you.

This past weekend I learned how awesome our young people are. I mean, I already knew this, but it was great to be reminded of it in such a profound way. Our periods of worship were very uplifting and heartfelt. The singing was fantastic and everyone’s attention to the lessons presented were unmatched by any group I have ever been around. I was reminded of how blessed we are here at Karns to have such amazing teenagers. I am truly blessed to be able to work with this fine group of young people.

I also learned how much our adults and parents care for our youth. Sending your kids on this retreat showed how much you care about them.  It showed that you are invested in the spiritual well-being of your children. However, the care and concern this congregation has for young people also was seen in the number of chaperones willing to help with the weekend. We had a good number go and help serve in so many ways. I was reminded of why God placed emphasis on the older men and women teaching those who are younger (Tit. 2). Our young people need to see adults who exemplify Christ in their actions.

One of the things I was reminded of that most people may not realize is that the hearts of young people are tender. Time and time again, I witnessed the tender hearts of our young people in action. I watched as they cried together, hugged each other and rejoiced with one another (Rom. 12:15). People who think young people do not care about others or the message of the Gospel have got it all wrong. They care tremendously. The impact the Gospel can have on their lives is evident in our teens. Young people have such tender hearts!

I am grateful to all the young people and adults who attended the retreat. Each one helped contribute to a wonderful and uplifting experience. I know last weekend was a blessing for me. I hope the same can be said for all those who attended after they take time to reflect upon our weekend serving God together.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Nov 03

“I AM”

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This weekend is our annual Middle School and High School Fall Retreat. I always enjoy this weekend because it allows our students the opportunity to get away from their normal weekend routine and focus on their relationship with God. Personally, I believe this is one of the best things a youth ministry can do for its students. A getaway like this provides the youth so many wonderful opportunities for growth. If a youth minister fails to capitalize on something like this, he has missed a great opportunity to instill a deeper commitment to the Lord within the hearts of his students.

The theme for our retreat is “I AM.” We will spend the weekend focusing upon some of the most amazing qualities of God. I have spent a lot of time thinking about which qualities I wanted us to emphasize over the course of this weekend. When one considers such qualities pertaining to God, it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few. However, I wanted to pick attributes of God that most teens need to be reminded of and attributes that truly show God in a positive light. Many times when a teen thinks about certain attributes of God, he or she thinks about those qualities in a negative sense. For instance, the fact that God is All-Knowing is generally seen as a negative, not just among teens, but among adults as well. After all, “No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13). I want our students to understand why God being all-knowing is a positive attribute we should be thankful for instead of a negative one. Thus, after much thought, these are the attributes of God we are focusing on this weekend.

I AM All-Knowing

“O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.4Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD,you know it altogether. 5You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (Psalm 139:1-6).

I AM Faithful

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God,the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

I Am Merciful

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (I John 1:9-10).

I AM Love

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (I John 3:1).

The Psalmist reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  It is my hope and prayer that our students will  take time to be still and know God, and come away with a better appreciation for Him.

Now that’s Something to Think About!

Oct 24

Renovating Your Life

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A great deal of renovation has taken place around our building lately. For instance, the bathrooms in the hallway were renovated, the library was renovated and it wasn’t that long ago that the auditorium was renovated. Whether it is at home or someplace like a church building, renovations are an important part of improving things. Just as we look for things in our homes to renovate, we should be looking for things in our lives that need renovation as well.

The apostle Paul was a man who understood the importance of renovation in one’s life. When we are first introduced to Saul, he is standing by in support of the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58 – Acts 8:1). From that point forward, Saul went about “Ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison” (Acts 8:3). When he gave his defense before Agrippa, Paul told of how he was hostile toward Christians, even casting his vote against them when they were being put to death (Acts 26:9-11). If there was ever a person who needed to renovate his life, it was Saul. After all, in his own mind, he was the chief of all sinners (1 Tim. 1:15).

The wonderful thing about Saul is that he took the time to renovate his life.  He was convicted while on the road to Damascus, and was later baptized for the forgiveness of his sins (Acts 9:18). Immediately, we learn, “he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues” (Acts 9:20). Saul’s name was later changed to Paul, and he would go on to become one of the greatest preachers the world has ever known.

Friends, what about us? Are there things in our lives that we need to renovate? Are we the kind of people that God would have us to be? Are we God seekers or people pleasers? Are we letting our light shine or are we hiding our light so others can’t see? Are we fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, coveters, liars, drunkards, revilers, gluttonous, prideful or murders? Are we people who have not given our full hearts to God? If there are things in our lives that need to be renovated, why not begin the renovation process today. Just as a home or church building can be renovated and restored to something better, our life can be renovated to one that resembles a disciple of Jesus Christ. Let’s begin our renovation today!

Now that’s Something to Think About!