John the Baptist in modern times

He was one of the icons of America. Millions of youth gathered to see him, to hear him, to be with him. Anything he did, they did. Millions followed him blindly. And then one day, everything changed.

He met Jesus.

Jesus changed his life. Suddenly his former life of drugs, alcohol, parties and carelessness was a disgusting nightmare to him. He was transformed by the grace of God.

His hair grew into dreadlocks. His clean-shaven face took on a beard. He tattooed his entire body, as if he was a piece of artwork. Suddenly he was a walking storybook of God's love. Images of God's life-changing grace were forever burned onto his body. His message changed from selfish and empty words to truth.

He had wasted his entire life up to this point...he never wanted to go back there again. He became a modern John the Baptist...the man in the "wilderness", the crazy one, the scary-looking man who shouted out prophecies against fake religion and preached about the Kingdom of God in a new and intriguing way. He was the man who rejected the wealthy, elite, and respected, and spent his time with losers... druggies...criminals...

He brought hope and love to the outcast of our society, and continues to reach out to those who most label as hopeless.

His name is Brian "Head" Welch. For more of his testimony visit www.brianheadwelch.net. You can also read his autobiography, Save Me From Myself, or Washed By Blood a rewrite of his autobiography formatted into chapters that can be used for small group study, complete with discussion questions. You can also purchase his first solo CD, "Save Me From Myself", online or at select Christian retail outlets and some Target stores.

Be blessed,
Steve

Making 2009 count...

Proverbs 14:23 says, "Work brings profit but mere talk leads to poverty."

We all have dreams, passions, and goals that we want to see achieved in our lifetime. When I was a youth pastor in Kansas I took the youth kids to the local cemetery. As we walked around and looked at the headstones we stopped and had a discussion about life and death at the cemetery. One thing I did notice about the headstones and the people buried underneath them was the dreams, passions and goals that were never met. They were buried with them. Yes, some met their goals and saw their dreams come true but many just talked about their dreams, like Solomon tells us in the Proverb. It takes hard work, God's favor and you need to take a risk to see your passions achieved.

In I Samuel 16 we see Samuel looking for a new king to take over Saul's spot. When he is led to Jessie's house he looked at all of his children and finally came across David and anointed him. David was not Samuel first choice but David was God's choice. Once David was anointed "God's spirit came upon him powerfully."

God has gifted you to do something for His kingdom. He has given you desires and passions to see fulfilled, so make 2009 count. Stop talking and start doing... don't be buried with your dreams.

Be blessed,
Steve