http://www.stephenray.com baritone Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:48:39 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We often approach God or His Word with the presumption that His first priority is our happiness and/or satisfaction. Not only is that wrong, but this presumption almost always leads to an isogetical, selfish approach that invariably makes God and His Word subservient - and ... http://www.stephenray.com/2011/08/27/for-his-glory/ This past week in Wednesday Night Live, we talked about passion and desire.  The catalyst for this discussion was a commonly heard statement (well, prayer) among Christians that goes something like this: "God, give me a passion and desire to follow you."  Does God ever actually ... http://www.stephenray.com/2010/04/17/passion-and-fried-chicken/ Tonight, I preached the last sermon in a series about sex, relationships, and love. Throughout the series, there are many different adjectives that I could use to describe the reaction of the students, such as awkward, withdrawn, surprised, engaged, amazing, etc. I am so thankful that I am their youth ... http://www.stephenray.com/2009/12/17/my-students/ As I was having my quiet time this morning, I was reflecting on Wednesday Night Live, the youth group service here at Westbury.  I wrote a great message.  I felt as though I communicated it effectively.  And yet, no excitement.  Often, I feel so powerless when it comes to attempting to pull ... http://www.stephenray.com/2009/06/18/another-lesson/ Well, I've been a youth minister (officially) now for a week.  It's been wonderful so far.  The people at Westbury are amazing.  The kids have limitless potential (like all kids).  And I have a freaking assistant!  Things couldn't be better. Earlier this week, Pastor Jeff preached on a text that is near ... http://www.stephenray.com/2009/06/16/a-week-at-the-job/ In this portion of John's revelation, Jesus has commanded John to put to paper His dictation, addressed specifically to seven churches in Asia Minor, the easternmost portion of the Roman Empire, and an area where Paul highly focused his missionary efforts (today, Asia Minor is mostly comprised of Turkey). Laodicea, ... http://www.stephenray.com/2009/05/01/lukewarm-revelation-314-22/ Those who know me well know that I have two great passions in life: music and youth ministry.  Even in high school, my friends knew well that, at any moment, I could be found doing one of two things: either I was somewhere annoying the heck out of someone by ... http://www.stephenray.com/2009/03/14/calling/ It's no secret to my high school friends that I was a terrible baseball player for the three years that I played during my junior high school years.  No secret at all.  In fact, stories still surface every now and again that bring these hilarious, horrendous memories back in the ... http://www.stephenray.com/2009/02/08/westbury-softball/ Recently, I've come to recognize again (having been reminded by scripture) that life is a perpetual battle of the Spirit vs the Flesh.  From spiritual birth to physical death, those who are God's children spend their time submitting to this process of conformation to the image of Jesus Christ (we ... http://www.stephenray.com/2009/01/17/progression-of-ministry/ I wrote this past week about how God used my community group and overall experience at The Journey to make me aware of the stagnancy that has prevailed in my relationship with Him for years now.  Because of many complicated struggles in my life, I allowed my focus to be ... http://www.stephenray.com/2009/01/11/a-week-later/