Whatever Takes Us Away

Ever feel disconnnected from God? Well, we discussed last night at our youth meeting just that. We sent them on a prayer journey throughout the church, starting where the heater & air conditioner unit are (an unlikely place for prayer?). We grew this meeting by one person, bringing our total to three now! Hey, it's small, I know, but we are growing and these guys are really cool! They journeyed together for a little over 30 minutes, having questions to respond to in a journal. Some understood the situations discussed, others felt disconnected from the situations, but all agreed that the outcome, reconnecting with God, was something they could all grasp, something they all wanted to have through prayer.

Like the Prodigal Son, we all run away, knowingly or not, but have that desire to return from where we left. As they came back into the youth room we had a small banquet and they received the small gifts mentioned in the last post.

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11 - NIV)

Not often enough do we do little things for those around us to help them understand we love and appreciate them. Not often enough do we encourage those around us, and many times we do not listen and give bad gifts - if any gift at all.

Many times in my own prayers I find that I feel selfish for what I ask for, and probably sometimes it is out of want and not necessity. Even though we ask for the wrong thing (greed) or we ask in the wrong way, God knows our needs, wants and desires. His gifts are always appropriate.

That said, I felt it necessary while we were out today, to pick up a few things for our youth group kids. Nothing really special, but something I feel will help them understand that I am truly grateful for their presence and excitement for thier faith. Just a simple book, book mark and some pencils. I feel good about giving these things and am grateful that the Lord has provided for me to be able to buy these things.

Next time you are out, thinking of someone for no particular reason, pick up a pack of gum, a book, magazine, a simple card or whatever - just to let that someone know you care.

Things are happening, and unfortunately I am growing older - for today is my 32nd birthday. I don't feel any different, yet somehow I know that my earth-bound form is degenerating, even as I sit here and type. But there is hope!

Onward . . .

We started working with the youth group a few weeks ago, starting small, okay, really, really small. Our first two meetings brought only two teens, but you have to start somewhere, right? On the bright side, we will be adding another this week! I never thought myself a youth group leader, but I'm finding that I actually enjoy doing it; preparing, reading, planning out, etc. I find it kind of exciting. We've moved a small stereo rack, small couch and stereo with lots of CD's in their room and have plans to get it painted in the near future. The kids we have are really excited about doing anything, and that excites me even more, knowing that they really want to be there and participate and learn.

While this group doesn't know abouut my blog yet, I'm sure they will begin to have access to it shortly. This blog may change a bit and have links to events that Tina and I would like them to attend, concerts, etc. as well as be a spot where they can catch up and communicate with us. So, if you have been reading this you may start to see some changes and the posts may be more geared to our teens.

Other updates in life . . .

The past few weeks have been pretty hard on us here on Main Street. Since last Friday we have had three out of our four (yes four kids) sick with acute pneumonia and require four breathing treatments a day. We finally got our van back from getting it repaired from the accident and now have two mini vans in our driveway (thanks Dad!). I traded my 1990 Pontiac 6000 (the original 6G's) for my dad's Venture van, he in turn used the Pontiac as a trade in to get my mom a new car; I'm still trying to figure how anyone would give anyone $1500 for that car.

Lastly, but most certainly not the least of things going on . . . we found out a little over a week ago that my dad has prostate cancer. For you prayer warriors out there, keep this as an on-going prayer. He will go in next month and discuss more in detail his treatment options and start shortly thereafter.

That's all for now. I guess God has a plan for me afterall.