Jeffrey Dean Blog

Life can throw some difficult stuff at you. Some things are big… mom and dad’s divorce, betrayal, discovering cancer. But many times, it feels like the small, day-to-day struggles can have the biggest impact on you. And how you react shapes the course of who you become.

So, when you’re in those moments, what helps you decide what to do? Is there a way to come out on top of the daily struggles that pull you down? How do you grow into the person you want to be?  Some say prayer, helping others, attending religious services, and other like activities will get you there. While these may be important and worth-while practices, research has proven the best way to grow, spiritually speaking, is to hear from God by engaging the Bible daily.

Seems simple, right? Maybe, but…The challenge is to do more than just read it. To really engage the Bible daily means to discover what God has to say, think about what it means, and then apply it throughout your day.  I can’t remember having been more excited than I am right now to share with you some amazing news!  For years, I have been challenging teens everywhere about the importance of spending time alone with God in prayer and reading the bible.  I am the first to admit how difficult it can be to commit time each day to God.  I also know that when I do spend time reading the bible and talking with God, I grow.  I grow in knowledge of Him. I grow in confidence in who I am.  I grow in wisdom of His word.  And, I grow more and more in love with Him.  This is why I am excited beyond words to tell you about Tandem.

Tandem is bible content delivered to you throughout the day via e-mail, text message, phone call, or all three, which means you can hear from God no matter where you are or what you’re doing. And, it is FREE!  Yes, FREE!

Here’s how it works. First, sign up for a new account at www.jeffreydean.gotandem.com.

After that, you’ll answer some questions about your own spirituality and life. Based on your answers, you’ll get recommendations for topics to focus on. You decide exactly what content you want, how you want to get it, and when you want to receive it. Additionally, you can journal online and share what you’re reading or hearing with others.

And here’s a really cool thing – - if you’d like, we’ll call you weekly at the day and time of your choosing to encourage and pray with you.  And, as if that wasn’t enough, when you get your daily content, try texting, calling, or emailing us back to talk with someone about what’s affecting your life.  I know there’s no quick fix for life change. But, I promise, if you will give Tandem a try, you will grow in your walk with God!  So check it out for a few weeks, tell your friends and family about it, and then let me know what you think!

Summer time is almost here!  No school.  Sleeping in late.  A little  pool time.  Did I say “no school?”  Summer time can be a blast.  But with all the free time you’re about to have, it is important that you have a game plan in place to help you navigate through the next few months of fun in the sun.  Here are a few things to remember:

1. Turn off the TV.  The last thing you need to be doing is sitting in front of the TV all week watching re-runs of Oprah (yes, her last day of prime time TV is tomorrow) or checking out who’s-beating-up-who on The Jerry Springer show.  Get outside, go swimming, throw a party, or master the art of making a little cash with a summer job.  The point is to get busy making sure you don’t waste it all away on the sofa.

2. Summer is about a lot more than just doing nothing.  Set some personal goals for yourself while on break like:

- Reading a few really good books (that you’re not required to write an essay about.)

- Rocking on your music (just in case one day your American Idol moment finally happens).

- Cooking mom and dad’s favo meal and surprise them with dinner!  (This might earn you a little extra brownie points on one of those nights you miss curfew.)

- Go see your grandma!

3. Spend a little time with your younger brother or sister.  I know – this doesn’t seem to necessarily be the coolest way to spend your summer break.  But, your sibling(s) is watching you.  He/she looks up to you and wants to be like you, even if he/she never says it or shows it.  Make sure you are using your influence to encourage healthy choices for your sibling(s).

4. Get crazy on your bike.  Go to the gym.  Swim some laps.  A little exercise will help you keep those abs looking toned and rocking when fall comes around.

5. Make a wager with your friends as to whether or not Trump will run for President.

6. Check out my summer speaking schedule at www.Jeffreydean.com.  Pack a bag, go to one of my camps, hang out with other teens, hear some great bands and listen to me speak each night!

7. Tell your parents you want a family vacation this summer.  Once they stand up from hitting the ground from shock, pull out the GPS App and start planning a family get-away.  Before you know it, life at home will be no more for you.  Take time to enjoy your family (and dad paying for all the vacation thrills) before you are out of the house and out on your own.  I guarantee you…your future memories will thank you.

8. Make a promise to you: “No more Justin B!”

9. Say “No” to anything that could harm you or your future!

10. Have fun and enjoy every moment before the school bell rings again.

Do you believe that God has a purpose for you?  I do.  You may not be able to clearly define it today, but it is true.  Your present situation may not give you the definitive proof of this, but scripture sure does.  Jeremiah 29:11 says it best when it says, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord.  “Plans to prosper you and give you a hope and a future.”  Scripture doesn’t say that “I have plans for you unless you’ve blown it!”  Your present situation does NOT trump God’s truths!

As of yet, God may not have revealed His exact will and purpose to you.  I am of the belief this is something that happens as we move in and out of each day, week, month and year, as well as, from season to season of our lives.  God uses people, circumstances, challenges, regrets, tragedies and triumphs to show us His will for our lives.  Sometimes the “ahh-hah” moment is clear.  Sometimes it’s not…so clear.

Some people have to wait much longer than they’d like to find out what their purpose is. And while you’re waiting, you can start doubting. That’s why these verses are so good to help you during the moments of doubt.  I hope you will read them, and, read them again, and again, and…you get the idea:

“Everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible…everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”

Colossians 1:16 (MSG)

“But with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.”

Psalm 139:16 (CEV)

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.

Psalm 138:8 (NIV)

You are no accident.  Psalm 138:8 proclaims that God will fulfill His purpose for you. You do have a purpose.  It’s a God-given purpose.  And God wants to help you fulfill it. But while you’re waiting for your “big purpose,” you also have a purpose that’s constant, from the moment you accept Christ until the day you go to live with Him in heaven—witnessing to others.

Read this one too: “Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!—came into being without him.  What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.  The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.”

John 3:5 (MSG)

Wouldn’t it be great if every day you received an e-mail from God with specific instructions to get you through the day?  How cool would it be if God gave you a roadmap for the day detailing what you should do, where you should go, who you should talk to, and what you should avoid?  It seems like life would be much more manageable that way, doesn’t it? Never having to question, think, or make tough decisions.  Never second-guessing your choices or wondering “What if?”

What would happen if today God decided to reveal to you every detail about the rest of your life, like who you’ll marry, what your occupation will be, what your children’s names will be and what they’ll look like, how those closest to you will die, and when where, and how you’ll die?  At first it may seem cool to have an inside scoop on the rest of your life.  However, after a while, living that way would also be pretty boring.  Life would become nothing more to you than a checklist of events.  There would be no wonder, no adventure, no anticipation, and no quest.  You’d simply clock in, perform your duties, and then clock out.  You’d never be forced to figure anything out, or search for the answer, or prayerfully seek God’s guidance to find the right way to go.  Life would be routine and meaningless.

Being made into the person He desires isn’t always easy. And finding your purpose isn’t either. But when you do find it, you’ll celebrate so much more because you worked to get there instead of just letting God hand you the solution.

If you have heard me speak before, you probably know that I am a big believer that who you spend time with shapes the person you become.  Your closest friends aren’t just your friends.  These people are the ones who have your attention, have your ear, and, often have your heart.  I am confident that your friends will determine the direction and the quality of your life.  I’ve been thinking about this a lot over the last few days.  In part, because of the many teens who write to me about friendships.  Also, because last night I spoke at a church in Newbern, TN about this very topic. I met teens and adults at this church (and have heard from several via Facebook since) who are dealing with very real relationship issues.

Relationships.  We all have them.  We all want them.  And, to a certain extent, we all need them.  Your friends are one of, if not the most, powerful influences in your life today.  But do you ever really think about the friendships you have and how they affect you?  Do you put a lot of consideration into choosing good, Christian friends or do you simply search for acceptance from the most popular, the coolest, or the most exciting?  Think about your five closest friends?  Why are these people your friends?  There are probably a lot of reasons such as they’ve accepted you, or you have a lot in common with them, or they make you feel secure, or simply because you trust them.  All of those are pretty valid reasons. But there’s one criterion missing from the list: They need to live a godly life. As you consider giving God all of you, you must include in that formula your relationships.  Your relationships seriously impact you—how you dress, how you talk, how you act, who you date, what music you listen to, and even how you treat your parents.

I know you’re probably thinking, “I don’t let my friends influence me like that. I decide what I want to do. Just because I spend time with someone doesn’t mean I always do what they do.”  Well, it may seem that way.  But think about this:  Friends are not just people you know.  They’re people you do life with.  How much time do you spend with your closest friends?  You probably see your friends at school every day. You eat lunch together, play sports together, and maybe ride home together.  Even if you don’t attend the same school, you probably hang out together on weekends, work at the same job, attend church and parties together, talk online, text message, talk on the phone…  It’s safe to say you spend a lot of time doing stuff with them.

The more time you spend with another person, the more you’re influenced by that person.  That’s natural.  As you commit time to a relationship, your lifestyle will be more and more affected by theirs.  Think about it: You probably like bands your friends introduced you to. And maybe you’re wearing clothes from a new store because your friend started shopping there. Your friends do influence you a little, right?  1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts character.” How’s your character?  Do you find yourself making choices today that you wouldn’t have made if it weren’t for your friends?  If yes, have these choices been honoring or dishonoring to God?  If so, could it be that you need to reconsider your circle of influence?  One girl I met last night told me, “Tonight I’ve been forced to decide what is more important – honoring God first or honoring my relationships first.”

Choosing to give God the best of you may require you to shuffle some relationships, re-prioritize what is really important to you, and, possibly reconsider those with whom you are spending time.   You can’t control the choices of your friends.  You can control which relationships get your intimate time and attention.  Remember this: Others may get angry with you. They may resent you. But you don’t have to answer to them.  They didn’t create you!  Take each relationship to God and let Him show you those that need a little re-focus.  Then, trust Him to guide you as you choose to embrace relationships that push you closer to Him, rather than pull you away.

A few weeks ago, my good friends at Springhill Camp, MI asked me to write a entry for their Facebook devotionals.  The following is a portion of what I wrote for them.  Thought you might benefit from this:

Long ago people were haunted by the many dangers which threatened them, both from enemies and animals. Therefore it was common for people to carry a sword or other object of self-defense. Meeting with a stranger for the first time often aroused immediate suspicion. To shake hands, and ultimately to prove oneself trustworthy to the other, each would have to lay down his/her weapon as a public display of vulnerability firmly grasping hands. The handshake was a display of trust. The customary use of the right hand did not originate by chance. It was a precaution to immobilize the other person’s weapon hand.  Today, when you greet someone, you often do so by shaking his/her hand. And, typically you use your right hand.

Isaiah 41:10, 13 says, “Do do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;  I will help you.”

Notice that twice in this passage God states that He will link hand in hand with you by using the “right” hand. Why is this important? Well, at the time that Isaiah penned these words, the “right” side was considered to be significantly stronger than the left. For instance, to be seated at the right side of a ruler would have been a much greater position given to one than to be seated on the left. Sharing such closeness with a ruler, or with God, and to walk hand in hand joined on the right side would have been considered to be an extremely rare privilege. God takes prestige to an entirely different level in this verse. He doesn’t just offer you the position of sitting next to Him. He offers you the unique privilege of being able to walk hand in hand with Him.

Grabbing a hold of the right hand of God’s with your right hand is your display of complete trust in Him. It is as if you are laying down the weapons to which you often take hold of as security and entrusting your very life to His. When God says in this passage He will “uphold you with my righteous right hand” and “take hold of your right hand,” it is as if He is saying, “Friend, I am with you. I believe in you. Trust me. I’ve got your back.”

If you’ll take a moment and really comprehend this idea, this invitation from God should blow your mind.  How cool it is to know that the God of all things wants such a close relationship with you and me! He is saying, “Don’t be timid. There is no need to fear anything. I am your God.  I’ve got your back. And, just to prove it to you, I’m going to make you stronger by gripping your right hand with my right hand.

Knowing that God Himself wants such a close relationship with you should be very empowering to you. This is why the writer of Psalm 31:24 can say, “Be of good courage, and God will strengthen your heart.” Think about that today  And, as you do, move forward fearlessly united with God’s right hand knowing He has your best interest at heart.

While speaking at Springhill Camp in Evart, MI this past weekend, I had an interesting conversation backstage with several of the staff members and members of the worship band Seven Glory.  We were discussing the concept of love and how Jesus loved everyone equally.  We then talked about community and discussed the idea that community is about so much more than just meeting with other Christ-followers.  We came to the conclusion that when we love others as Jesus did, we often step into community with people that we don’t even know. Genuine Jesus love requires us to move past merely joining in community with people we feel comfortable with, and, therefore looking outside our individual comfort zones and reaching out to those who have no community – to those who feel alone, friend-less, and unloved.

Since this conversation, I have had this idea on my mind.  I even uploaded a quick Facebook video yesterday talking about lifting-up others. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” This verse has really challenged me this week about my responsibility to lift-up others to help them succeed.  Not just people close to me.  Not just people that I like.  Not just people that like me.  But, also those people whom I barely know.  Those people that I am not too fond of.  And, those people that don’t really like me that much.  Loving others as Jesus loved means that I have a responsibility to look past how I feel about someone and look deeper into how I can come alongside someone, “reach out and help,” and, as Ecclesiastes says, help this person succeed.

There are several names that immediately come to mind for me when I think of what this might look like in my life.  (One person in particular, whom I know does not care for me.) I need to work towards inviting this person into community with me (i.e. grabbing a Starbucks or going to lunch together, asking this person how I might pray for him, and then, actually praying for him) in hopes that I can help him succeed in his life.  For you, this could mean that you need to reach out to someone in your work place or school that needs a lift.  Or maybe there is a family member you have not been connecting with in a real way with whom you need to have greater intent as you work to know and understand and love this person greater.

What a great time, the beginning of a new year, for all of us to consider love, lifting and community.  It could be that there are people all around you (and me) that need love, encouragement, support, accountability, favor, prayer, value, a good friend – - community. I’m going to work on this in my own life here at the beginning of 2011. I hope you will consider doing the same.