His initials might be “JV” but my guest on the podcast today is headed for the next level in the Kingdom of God. You’ve learned about Joshua before, today you’ll hear directly from him.
More About This Podcast…
God’s given me a very bold mandate this new year, which is to feature 17 faith stories from 17 different people over the coming months on the podcast. I’m so delighted Joshua Vineyard could show up today for the first of these stories on this episode of the Pasture’s Podcast.
This remarkable, kingdom-driven young man is all of 22 but has a very seasoned demeanor and solid mooring even as he seeks adventures abroad for the Lord’s glory.
I’m eager for you to hear Joshua’s faith journey in his own words, his rocky road to finding that which is “real and genuine”, and the response of his life to lay it all down and live out his testimony by faith in the Christ “who loves [him] and laid His life down for [him]…” (Gal. 2:20).
Thanks for listening in. I’m certain you’ll be blessed.
Jack’s one of my “young lions” (you’ve read and met several of them on this site over the months and years): guys in their 20’s who are interested in more than just the “American Dream” for their lives. They have spotted a treasure in a field(1) and are spending these seminal years gathering their ‘talents and minas’ so they can buy that field. No holds barred. Nothing held back. All for King and Kingdom.
These are young men who, like Jack, are violently struggling to stand against the current tides of culture, and seeking the ancient and apostolic faith that turned the world (in their era) upside down. They are just foolish enough to believe the same can happen in their time.
Recently, Jack approached me to mentor him weekly and in one of our earlier meet-ups I asked him to compose a mission statement for his life.
The very next week he came prepared, and as he read his personal manifesto, I was admittedly moved and asked if it might be reproduced here for my readers. He graciously obliged. As you read, remember that there’s an entire ‘army’ of Jacks being called out of the earth whose passion is to live out these very things for the glory of Christ.
Does it encourage you? It certainly does me.
Mission Statement
To learn,
to observe,
to trust,
to love,
to exemplify.
To obtain knowledge but let it access my heart and not just my head.
To remain teachable, humble and vulnerable to correction by both leadership and the Holy Spirit.
To use my gifts to glorify God,
edify the body,
and speak truth speak truth myself.
To love with no expectation.
To challenge the mundane.
To show compassion to the hurting.
To keep my eyes open to serve.
To honor those in authority in every area of my life.
To embrace grace and profess truth.
To speak life into dead situations.
To be joyful,
grateful,
and show people the unreserved love that God demonstrates to me daily.
To be less, and have more of God.
To be everything God sees in his son Jack Roper.
To create a life of peace with those I encounter.
To understand those who don’t believe.
To not choose when or who I want to serve, love and show grace to.
To grow more in love with the Lover of my soul,
my Father,
Creator,
and Purpose,
my best Friend.
You’ll be hearing from Jack again pretty soon. He has a harrowing personal story that is his to tell – a story of devastation, depression, and hope leading to overcoming faith and forgiveness. You’ll want to stay tuned.
Oh, and pray for Jack this weekend. He’s been asked yet again to speak at Vida Nueva of North Georgia, a gathering of teens who have already expressed their own desire to live out the very ideals Jack expressed.
Oh for a sweet, sweeping, and lasting move of God!
TO: A young son in the faith FOR: Introduction to manhood* RE: My ’50-sense’ worth
Dear young man:
it is manly, healing and cleansing to cry
shake hands firmly while looking your counterpart in the eye
learn and remember names; the most beautiful sound a person hears is their own name being said back to them
write thank you notes for every good done to you, big or small; phone calls work also
hold doors for girls, and, oh heck, for everyone else why not?
never tell a girl “I love you” until you have clearance from the Lord she’s the one
seek the Lord’s counsel FIRST when you’re confused or doubtful on a matter; save others’ input until after you’ve sat a spell before Christ
live everyday so as to have a testimony of what the Lord has done for you/means to you
begin and end your day with prayers of thanks, even if you’re just breathing out a few words; ready thankfulness assures a revived heart daily
a young woman’s body is sacred; hands off; you must only view any female as Christ sees His bride
do something adventurous (outside your comfort zone) at least once a month; try something new regularly
take notes while you’re being given spiritual instruction; writing down the words is the quickest way to own them in your heart
keep a journal; if you only write a half a paragraph a day it’s worth it; write out a prayer once per week in your journal
stand out by taking care not to use foolish or vulgar words in your conversation; speak with integrity
may your word be trustworthy and honorable
if in doubt, don’t
learn to ask questions; it’s a sure-fire way to learn
choose your friends wisely; they must push you to grow in Christ; avoid unthankful, negative people; do not tolerate unkindness or arrogance
be an available friend, completely unselfish with your time and energy
show generosity to both God and your fellow man
volunteer regularly for ministries that bless the unfortunate
seek out a mentor (an older man) and let him walk out your faith with you (Dad, of course, but someone outside your family)
strive to learn something new from God’s Word every week
cultivate a desire to read; read a challenging book every six months (if not monthly)
return phone calls/texts promptly
be courteous to service staff in businesses and respectful to every adult
do not EVER harbor resentment or bitterness; get it dealt with quickly
be quick to say “I’m sorry” when you are at fault and never EVER tack a “but” onto the end of it
there’s no shame in trying; I say again: don’t be afraid to try new things; color outside the lines
you will fail, you will fall; expect at some point to be humiliated, but do not quit – it’s all part of learning the grace of maturity, so long as you don’t allow failures to define and/or hold you hostage
forgive QUICKLY when offended; do not make people have to jump through hoops for them to feel accepted with you once again
self-pride is an ugly wardrobe; think and act and respond in humility
share your faith with someone outside the faith every chance the Lord opens up a door of opportunity
read a classic at least once per year (your folks can help you identify some of the classics)
stand up for a weaker brother who needs defending, but turn the cheek when you are a victim (unless your life is in danger)
take a monthly sabbath alone with the Lord: a day, an overnight in the backyard, an afternoon; let it be a time for you to worship the Lord and renew your salvation
spend as much time in nature as you can
be on time; show up 5 minutes early to appointments
if employed, give reason for your boss to be impressed
eat well and healthy in your youth – you wouldn’t believe how it all catches up in your later years, and you want to be healthy for the Master until your days run out
pick up after yourself; don’t make someone have to remind you or, worse, go behind you cleaning up your messes
welcome suffering and hardship; praise God and trust His heart; there’s no holiness without hardship
don’t borrow your parent’s faith; lay claim to your own and live it passionately and with integrity
don’t try to be someone you’re not; find out WHO you are and know WHOSE you are and live out of that
treat young ladies with same respect you’d expect someone to treat your sister or your Mom
learn the basics of car maintenance
laugh five times a day
don’t use social media to post personal drama and don’t broadcast your entire life on FB and Instagram; leave some mystery and sacred space for your life
find something to like in everyone; don’t write anyone off – for ANY reason (doesn’t mean you have to be best friends, but show grace to everyone)
don’t waste your life; pursue Christ with every fiber, muscle and molecule of your being
That’s it. Proud of you, young man. Now, go have an amazing manhood!
For Christ and Kingdom, Pasture Scott
* A friend recently asked me (and others) to offer some sage counsel to his twin boys, turning 13. Dad was taking them on a ‘manhood’ outing and wanted other men of influence to speak life into them via the written word. I’ve retooled what I shared with his boys for this post.
