Jeffrey Dean Blog

Fatigue.  Uncertainty.  Frustration. Restlessness.  Are any of these words too familiar to you?  Such words can be the catalyst to complacency. I’ve counseled with many who reach a point in their lives where they aren’t happy with how things are going and they begin to come to a place of giving up, letting go, and buying into the lie that things will never change.

One teen recently wrote me to say, “My life sucks.  Nothing is going right….and God seem so far away.  I’m beginning to question if it really matters if I give God time in my life.” What he was really saying was, “Things aren’t going the way I want.  God isn’t acting the way I want Him to.  So why try anymore?”  What a dangerous place in which to be.

Disappointment and uncertainty are two close companions that love to show up unexpected, crash a party, and leave behind a mess of mixed emotions, doubt, and fear. I know these two companions all too well.  I am the first to admit that I too often allow the circumstances of my life to shape my emotions in any given moment.  (Just ask those closest to me – they will quickly confirm this.)

I’ve learned (and am still learning) that when these feelings begin to slip in, I have to motivate myself to action! God is working on my heart to remind me that, as the Word says, His ways are not my ways.  Simply put, He doesn’t move and think and act as I always want Him to or expect that He will. He is God and I am not going to always be able to rationalize, make sense of, or even fully agree with all He does – or chooses not to do – in and with my life.

The key here is trust.  I often ask myself, “Do I genuinely trust God?”  My answer is, “Yes. I do trust Him.”  I then remind myself that trust doesn’t always mean understanding.  This is why Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” Lately I am reminded of the truth in this verse that trusting God is exactly about that one word: trust.  It doesn’t always make sense.  It won’t necessarily always add up.  It will not guarantee worldly success.  And, it often requires a willingness to be led into places that are difficult and dangerous.  (Think about the story of Jonah.  He was asked by God to go and share the gospel message with people who hated Christians and enjoyed killing them, peeling the skin of their faces, and hanging their skulls around town on poles.)

Life with God isn’t about complacency.  It is about the greatest of adventures.  He understands there will be times when we question Him.  He welcomes the questions.  He also desires we move past the questions to a place of trust, even when we don’t understand or receive the answers we pursue.

Destiny was at Springhill and she sent me her Top 10 List. I challenged the girls to make a list of the characteristics they hope to one day find in a future spouse.  Check this out ladies and remember, no guy is ever worth a compromise of your “beauty.”
My top 10 Characteristics in a guy are…
1. Has a Sense of humor
2. Some kind of religion
3. A love of music
4. Trustworthy
5. Nice
6. Kind to others
7. Respectful of others
8. Animal Lover
9. Family orientated
10. A sports person

I had an awesome time at Spring hill and I learned a lot about God, and myself. Thank you.

The more time I spend on the road counseling with teens, the more I am convinced that many have a minimal knowledge of God’s Word.  How unfortunate this is.  If you don’t know it, you can never live it.  And, if you are a Christ-follower, yet have very little knowledge of what His Word says, then what does this lack of knowledge have to say about your commitment to Him and love for Him?  Think about it – if you knew very little about your best friend, wouldn’t that be proof that you care very little about your best friend?

If you have heard me speak at an event before, then you probably remember me challenging you with this statement:

It’s impossible to consistently know and do God’s will if you don’t spend time with Him.

I believe this statement to be true as much as I believe that Coke is better Pepsi!  The Bible is a guide for our lives that God has given us.  Look at what  Psalm 119:104-105 says:

I gain understanding from your precepts…Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119 makes it clear that by spending time in the Word, we’ll gain understanding. As you commit to spend time in the Word, you’ll develop a greater understanding of who He is.  As you begin to know Him more, He’ll reveal to you a greater understanding of His plan and purpose for your life.

You have also probably heard me talk about  THE 1:1:1 PLAN.

THE 1:1:1 PLAN = One passage of Scripture + Once a Day + One Week

Repetition is key.  There are times when I read the Bible and then forget what I read as soon as I walk away.  Going back and reading the same verse over will help you absorb the truth of Scripture.  And, as Psalm 119:9 says, this is the way to live a life that honors God:

How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. Psalm 119:9 (MSG)

Here are a few creative applications for spending time in the Word:

1. Grab your Bible, journal, and find your favorite quite spot—a park, backyard, or the lake.
2. Go to Starbucks for some Bible and bean time.
3. Get a few friends together and instead of watching a movie or talking about girls/guys, start a conversation about a scripture you’ve been reading and encourage each other to spend more time in the Word.
4. Start a Bible Club at your school.  Commit to meet once a week to dive into the Word and pray together.

I also have included a list of questions that I think are really important to consider when you are reading the Bible.

1.    Who is the author of the passage?

2.    Who were the recipients?

3.    What is the historical background of the passage?

4.    What is the outline/structure of the passage?

5.    Are any words repeated? Any significance to the repetition?

6.    Are there any unusual words in the passage that call for more exploration?

7.    How does the passage fit into the surrounding paragraph? Chapter? Book?

8.    Why did the author place the passage here and not somewhere else?

9.    In one sentence, what is the main point of the passage?

10.  How would the original audience have been affected by the passage?

11.  How does this passage connect to the overall storyline of the Bible?

12.  How does this passage reveal Jesus as savior?

13.  How does God want this passage to function in my life?

14.  What kind of response does this passage call for?

In two of my teen books, Watch This and This Is Me, I talk about the importance of involving God in every aspect of your life, including your dating life.  Lately many of you have been asking me some pretty heavy questions about dating – I want to make several observations.

First, you need to know that God wants to be involved in your dating life, and it’s unlikely you’ll ever really find satisfaction in dating if you don’t let Him be.  To become the person God desires you be means allowing Him access into every area of your life.  This includes your dating life too!  But honoring God in your dating life has to be a priority for you.  I have so much to say on this topic.  (If you want to really know all my thoughts on dating, grab a copy of one of my books.)  I do want to address one question that lately I have been asked frequently.  The question:

“Is it okay to date someone who is not a Christian?”

My answer to this question is more questions:

1. Would you want to marry someone who doesn’t believe there’s a heaven, hell, or God?

2. Would you want to marry someone who wouldn’t embrace reading the Bible, going to church, and praying?

3. Would you want to marry someone who wouldn’t instill in your children godly character and the practices of praying, going to church, and reading the Bible?

Get my point. I hope the answer to each of these questions would be a definite no from you.  If this is the case, then why would you choose to date someone who wouldn’t do these things? I’m not saying you have to think you’re going to marry every person you go out with. But any person you date should be “marriage-worthy.” And the first question on the marriage-worthy test should always be: Is this person a Christian?

Look at what the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:14 (MSG):

Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives.

This verse is saying that when you choose to unite with a nonbeliever, it’s as if you’re setting up a pagan idol in God’s temple. That’s pretty serious stuff. I mean, God warns us against making idols and worshipping other gods in the Ten Commandments. In this case, opposites do not attract.

I know what you may be thinking: But what if you could convince someone to become a Christian after you start dating? I mean, if she/he really likes you, she’ll/he’ll want to go to church with you and stuff, right?

Dating a non-Christian may seem innocent. You may think that after a while you’ll “win her/him over” or that it’s just dating, not marriage, so it doesn’t matter.  But this verse warns that you’re walking on dangerous ground when you choose to unite (even just for a few dates) with “those who reject God.” You may think you can turn her/him into a Christian, but it’s more likely that she’ll/he’ll pull you away from Christ. People don’t change just because you want them to. They only change if they want to.

So the simple is – talk to the person about Christ. Invite her/him to your youth group. But don’t even think about giving your heart to this person until she/he gives his heart to God.

Do you have plans for summer camp ‘10?  If not, I hope you will consider spending a week with me at one of my favo camps.  Springhill and Jeffrey Dean Ministries are partnering this summer with Diverge, a unique week of summer camp at Springhill Camp in Indiana.  The dates are July 5-9.

Diverge is a discipleship camp for high school students who long to push past complacency into a world of deep devotion and commitment to God.  If you are interested in finding out more about Diverge, you can call our office at 615.477.3021.  I’ve included a link here as well:

http://www.springhillcamps.com/IN/summercamp/grade9_12diverge.aspx

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a great Christmas break.  I spent most of mine traveling to teen events in the Smokies and the Rockies. I’m so jazzed about this new year of ministry.  If you were at one of my events over the holidays then you probably know why.  If you were not, let me tell you why – - this is your year to expect no shame.

I just returned from an event in Colorado where EVERY teen who arrived at this event without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ left this event as a changed person.  I believe there is a spiritual awakening among this generation.  Teens want to be convicted, challenged, and changed.  They want more than the superficial this world has offered them.  They want to be fearless.  They want to do right.  And, this year I am calling them to draw the line in their own life and to boldly stand on the right side of truth.

If you are a teen…then get ready! I believe God is calling you out this year my friend.  He has greatness in store for you and He wants to use you more than you can imagine.

Sure, the world may scream at you, “Forget God.  You don’t need Him!”  Your friends may whisper into year ear, “Do what you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want…however you want.”  Your private addictions may work to convince you that, “It’s okay, no one else will know.  Drink up.  Throw up.  Cut.  Porn away the night!”  And…Brittany may tell you, “3 is a charm, two is not the same. I don’t see the harm, so are you game?”

But you know the truth.  Your heart knows what is right.  And, 2010 is your year to let it all go, to get crazy on fire for God, and shamelessly never look back! I’ll tell you, this is what God is calling me to this year.  A place of NO SHAME for Him. I want to share with you Philippians 1:20 (NIV),  a verse I will be challenging teens everywhere to embrace as I stand before them this year.

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body.”

God is calling me to expect no shame for Him this year.  Will you make this your ambition for 2010?

Commit now to pray that:

* God will give you unashamed courage for Him.

* You will fearlessly make known the name of Jesus.

* You will pursue the daily surrendered life and trust Him with it all.

2010 is going to be my year (like never before) to expect greatness from God, to expect Him to use me for His glory, and to expect no shame as I fearlessly make His name known.

Will you join me?

Hard to believe that Christmas is tomorrow.  Even more difficult to realize that we are about to close another chapter in the book of our lives.  What a “chapter” this has been.  I am absolutely amazed that God continues to, as Colossians 4:3 says, “…open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.”

As we approach the end of another year of ministry, I once again am humbled and amazed at all God has done in 2009 through Jeffrey Dean Ministries.  At churches, camps, conferences, and schools throughout our nation, we have watched God transform the lives of thousands.  This year we:

• Witnessed 5,000+ teens and adults surrender their lives to Jesus!
• Partnered with 48+ local and national ministries that hosted a Jeffrey Dean event.
• Conducted over 40 radio and web interviews nationally discussing our outreach to teens and their families.
• Entered into year two of a thirty-month Consultation Partnership with Wise Choices Pregnancy Center in Decatur, TX as a consultant for their outreach.
• Appeared on the Daystar network and on CBN’s Living The Life program.
• Released my latest book, The Fight Of Your Life in February.
• Created a Youtube page offering follow-up and ongoing discipleship.

We are now partnering with The Dawson McAllister Association (to learn more about Dawson’s ministry, visit www.dmlive.com) offering teens help and hope through The Hope Line.  The Hope Line is for anyone ages 18-25 and can be accessed seven days a week.  Teens and young adults can call our dedicated line, 877.254.REAL (7325), and receive support from one of the many trained counselors throughout the five national call centers utilizing telephone, one-on-one chat, and text messaging.  If you need to speak with someone about anything going on in your life, why not call The Hope Line right now?

This year I’ve also given away countless copies of my books that many of you have requested.  It thrills me to be able to help a teen in need, and to later hear how these books impact lives.   One teen recently contacted me on Facebook to say, “I think that your book “this is me” is amazing!!! There were things you wrote that I have never even thought about. This book made me dig deeper & think about any situation/roadblocks in my life. Your book has really made an impact on my life and I thank you for writing it.”

2009 has been a life-changing year for many, many of you.  I am privileged to have met so many of you this year and to have had a small part in watching what God did (and will continue to do if you allow Him) in your life. I pray for you each week and I know God has greatness in store for you!  Like me, I hope you are eagerly awaiting to see what God has for us all in the next chapter.

Have a very Merry Christmas!