Journal... seriously just journal. The best way to force yourself to slow down and seek the Father is to just journal. This is especially true for Tweens.
Tweens today are getting older younger, faster quicker, and sadder sooner. They are completely bombarded by an endless menu of all this world has to offer. It's no wonder many have been wandering from the church earlier and earlier. Many times they have just been led astray way too early by the enemy and begin drowning in their fleshly desires, sometimes having never really "heard" the way, truth, and life for themselves. It is harder than ever to be a Tween and follow Jesus because there is just so much in the world pulling at their attention. How can you possibly sort it all out?
This generation of Tweens is the first in history with the ability to satisfy nearly every fleshly desire imaginable without even leaving the house and it is all made possible by the technology they can hold in the palms of their hands - phones, tablets, and computers, with connectivity to the whole world via the internet. We must reach them before they need to be rescued.
There is a spiritual war going on, in spiritual realms, and that war is for the minds of all flesh and blood. Tweens are going to immerse themselves in something, and whatever they immerse themselves in will consume them.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8
Pastor Gregg has said before, "We cannot change a Tweens menu, but we can equip them with a righteous appetite." What would it actually look like for Tweens to have every desire of their spirits met rather than every desire of their flesh? What would it look like to see a generation of Tweens immersed in their Bibles and journals instead of their phones? What kind of a world would that look like? It's just my opinion, but I truly believe Heaven would literally be touching earth because of a whole generation that fully submitted themselves to their loving Father in complete abandon.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17
So how do you equip a righteous appetite? Journal. Read and rewrite scripture. The quickest way to hear what God is saying is to slow down. The quickest way to slow down is to write down what He has already said. There is no magic formula and there never has been. It has always been to physically get in the Word of God and "mess up your Bible so you don't mess up your life" as Pastor Gregg says. The secret has always been to immerse yourself in HIm - His Word. There is something about the very activity of reading and rewriting scripture where you begin to hear what God is actually saying. It begins to take root, it begins to make sense, and it begins to become personal.
It is the Father's heart for us to be completely immersed in Him, completely abandoned to Him, completely His sons and daughters. When you purpose to actually slow down enough and take time to draw near to the Father's heart, He will draw near to you (James 4:8). So what are you waiting for? He is waiting for you.
Stephen Ibach
Creative Director
