Enfuego Rocked!

Hey All,

Here in Alabama we have a huge festival every year called Enfuego! Lot's of bands. This year, the feature bands were Building 429, Sanctus Real and Skillet. No offense to the other bands but I never tire of seeing or listening to Skillet. Jon Cooper is one of the most down to earth people you'll meet. Jon speaks so plainly and with little religious gobbledy gook that other bands feel they have to say to placate the Christian masses.

We had a great time in the swelltering heat and the pooring rain. In true festival fashion there was community and fun. Lot's of football, thank God no one got hurt.

The other bands that were part of the event belonged to Indie Community. I could say they were a booking agency but they are far more organic and work really well with local talent. If you have a chance check them out at www.indiecommunity.com.

I'll be in Eufala, Al. this Wednesday with my friends Seth and Courtney Martin. Great youth pastors and even greater people. I'm looking forward to preaching and maybe some youth worker training.

Anyway, that's all for now. I hope to report some big news in the future as God works things out. Please be praying for God's will and favor for Disciple Project Ministries.


Thunderstruck!

Paul Turner

Stupid Things Christians Say

Ok,

Ya know, when we meet a stupid Christian we usually follow up by saying, "Well, they're well meaning". Well, that does not make them any less stupid. Is stupid too strong a word? Ok, I'll settle for ignorant but I still like stupid. So, you be the judge, are these recent statements made by a professing believer stupid or not.?

I was knew at my job and the person asked me , "What church do you attend?"

I replied, "I attend such and such church"

She said "Oh you are a Jesus loving Christian."

Now, I have no idea what they really meant by that. Coluld they have meant 1. They assume because it was a certain kind of church it met with her approval. 2) It was better than other churches she knew about? or 3) I was a better Christian than others who went to another church? It also aggravated me because she does not know me at all. She immediately made the assumption that because I went to church I was a Christian at all. I think we can all say something stupid like this if we have the "you go to church, you're a Christian" mentality. Ok, stupid or not?

Next on the stupid things Christians say list came out of the same persons mouth not a few days hence. The context for the conversation dealt with their son traveling. He is not a believer. He was doing some adventure travelling (moutain climbing or something) and was staying with Christians in the village. Here is stupid statement #2,

"I am so glad he was staying with this pastor woman, not a Catholic, she really loved Jesus."

Hmmm. Ok, I am saying it right. She was inferring that Catholic people don't love Jesus. Now, Catholics might not love Jesus the way we express love but to say they don't love Jesus? Holy Moly, how many ignorant things can one person say? In fact each person loves Jesus or does not love him differently. Many of us love Jesus conveniently like the guys who date the ugly girls in High School, secretly. These girls put out but in no way do guys want others to say they were "dating them".

We say stupid things all the time

"Our church is best"

"Jesus approves of this kind of music but not that."

"You can't go to heaven unless you are holy enough"

"Jesus is a republican"

"Put your stupid statement here."

Folks, if we want to see others come to Christ we've got to check the cliches at the door. Let us not speak with forked tongues. Our very words (not to mention our actions) may be painting the wrong picture of Christ to unbelievers. Our arrogance and huberis must stop and grace and humility must prevail. Next time you think about saying something stupid, religious or cliche', ask youself, "Does this make any sense at all or is this just something I say?"

Out of our mouth comes life and death. Let's speak life, especially in front of those who do not know Christ yet. Foolish may be standard for believers according to the world but being stupid is optional.

Let the speaks fly,

PT

Training To Be Me?

This picture says it all. This young lady was a camper at LFYC. She showed up to breakfast one morning sporting this handmade t-shirt that said "Paul in Training" on the front and "Training To Be Paul Turner" on the back. This was pretty humbling. It made me reallize how important our example is to others.

Whether you are a parent, youth worker, student or just Joe Average you are influencing somebody. Some of it is intentional but most of it is not. Our stories, are being played out before everyone and it matters.

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." 2 Corinthians 3:2,3

Our story are always being written and some stories are being re-written. Unqualified people too often have pens in their hands attempting to write more action, sex, drama, pain and many other themes into our lives. The Apostle Paul took his influence seriously. He saw people as blank pieces of paper. People of a clean start in Christ. He saw his influence not as a the written code to be enforced but of relationships written on and in the human heart.

I was honored that she wanted to be like me. I quoted the Apotle Paul, 'Follow me as I follow Christ." To quote scripture (too often as code and law) rings hollow when not intertwined with a loving friendship. Paul said it best in I Corinthians 1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.". The law without love is lifeless.

Who are you training? Intentionally or unintentionally? I'll have some more thoughts on intentional training in my next post.

Blessings and Peace

Paul Turner

Who Da King?! Video Clip

LFYC is the Best!!

Hey LFYC Campers,

What a great time I had in Florida with all of you. You stepped up big and I can’t wait to hear all the stories God is writing in your life. You are all Champions for God in my book!

A few of the funnier moments

Microwaves under Attack (scroll down to watch the video)
That loud noise in service (you know who you are!)
Archer lesson 101 (She hit the mark!)
Moment of Chaos- Ok, mobs of girls with feminine products- Need I say more?
The Simpsons- Don’t sell your soul!
Who Da King? Jesus Christ rule this thing!
Moment of Chaos- The Twist.


Some of our most precious moments

Hitting the Mark!
Letting Jesus sit on the seat of our soul.
Arm in Arm, loving each other.
Becoming Spiritual Firemen
Worshipping the King
Praying as cabins


To all of you who came up shook my hand, said thanks, wrote me a kind note, showed me your prayer or took my picture I love you all!

If you did not get chance to tell me your story, send me a note. I’d love to hear it.

The My King Video and the Lecrae "Who da King" rapper is lsted below.

Keep the faith and I hope to see you all next year.

Paul Turner

That's My King!!

Lecrae: Who Da King?

Hey,

For those who enjoyed the Who Da King video, that was Lecrae and you can check out his sight at http://www.myspace.com/lecrae.

Paul Turner