Whatever Takes Us Away

I haven't looked, but I know it has been quite some time since I last posted anything! Life has gotten a little out of control and I have been neglecting some parts, the less important parts, of said life. The blog has been one of the worst hit parts.

So, here's a quick update on all things me: 3.6 GPA through the first semester back in school, hoping to at least keep that if not better this semester. 6 courses taken, 6 courses passed. Currently in Systematic Theology, Western Civilization, and Speech. So far, all going okay, though the work load is far greater this semester than last. Lots of reading, lots of writing, lots of tests and quizzes and discussion board stuff, but I am learning! By the way, I am giving one of my speeches again this week after morning church service, so plan to stick around.

Madison finished spring soccer this past weekend!

Noah just turned 7! As a quick reminder for you, I HAVE FOUR KIDS!

I am working on getting the swimming pool ready for summer, need a little more sand to level off the pool area and then it'll go up nice and easy - we'll be swimming within two days!

My van is dying! I need prayer for that. I don't know yet what the problem is, but it has something to do with the coolant system, pray that it doesn't take our life savings to fix it. If that's the case I may go another route, junk the thing and get something smaller and more efficient! Anyone have a small, gas saving vehicle they'd like to give a poor, full-time college student/full-time job bearer/youth director/father of four? Again, prayer would be greatly appreciated.

Our manx cat will be having kittens any day now. She is miserable, cudly, and does nothing more than lay around. She's ready to burst! Anyone want a manx kitten? (they don't have tails or have incredibly short tails, for those that are unaware of what a manx is)

Youth group, next Saturday, June 14th we will be going to New Richmond to work on a Habitat for Humanity house. We should be doing insulation work so wear long pants and shirts! If you have any questions let me know this week!

Oh, and I am working on getting our church's summer VBS program up and running. I will be spending much time with that over then next few weeks.

It seems I don't have enough to do (as I have time to post here) - anyone need help with anything?

This Saturday night, November 3rd, our youth group is going to have a movie night and lock-in. So far we have two movies lined up, along with pizza, popcorn and other snacks to hold us over through the night. The movies we are planning on watching are Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" and "Facing the Giants". Depending on response to the first and what may take place afterwards, time permitting after the second, we may watch "The End of the Spear" - but that will largely depend on the reaction to the "Passion".

So, if you read this much at all, you may already know that I really enjoy music. It takes many forms, functions and all different kinds - most of which I truly to love and appreciate listening to. Last night was no exception. I took two of my three girls for a night out complete with a concert with BarlowGirl & Toby Mac. I love my family and I love music, what better way to spend an evening and a birthday gift. We sang, danced, praised & worshipped God with both groups. I was a little hesitant about BarlowGirl, after hearing the latest album, thinking it may not be a rock concert, but they proved that notion all wrong. Those girls have really got it going on when it comes to music! They are truly amazing (young) women for God; taking vows of purity and not dating and using the talents and gifts God gave them to share the message of Jesus - really awesome!

Likewise was Toby Mac. He's been around a while, formerly being a part of dc Talk. He and the Diverse City Band brought the house down. A real professional and a good man of God, his show lacked nothing.

I'm so glad I was able to share that with my wife and oldest daughter, who happened to turn eight yesterday! It was equally great to be able to share in fellowship with so many other believers. During both BarlowGirl and Toby Mac there was an awesome moment of Bible reading, sharing testimony and God showing up in our midst. Something I will always remember, me and my girlz, a night on the town and with God!

Coffee. I like coffee. I like to drink coffee first thing each morning, usually before I do much of anything else. Somedays I drink more than others, not for the caffeine, but because I like it so much. One cup would be sufficient for the caff intake, but I continue to drink because I enjoy it.

Sunday morning, this past one, I didn't have the opportunity to have that first cup before getting started, or startled as it were. I was barely out of bed when my phone rang. It was my mom, sounding confused and bewildered and in need of help. My dad, who is also the church pastor, was sick and had hardly slept at all the night before. Could I help and stand in his place for preaching? Still needing that first sip of java, I accepted the task and wandered back up stairs to see what I could muster up. Coffee finally brewing!

I sometimes read something, hear something, see something that makes me write something. Okay, it's more than sometimes, it happens quite offten. I read my Bible often. I listen to a few Bible based programs through Podcasts on my iPod almost everyday. I see things in daily life that make me wonder what people sometimes think (or if they even think at all) before doing whatever it is and I feel compelled to write about it. This past Sunday morning was taken care of in advance of it ever happening. God took control and I let go.

The below post is what transpired several weeks ago. I didn't stick entirely to the written message, I sometimes tend to wander in my speaking, but mostly the written was what was spoken to the congregation.

After getting myself somewhat put together (message wise) I tended to myself, then to getting everything gathered for Children's Church. I thank God often and always for my best friend and wife, Tina, as she is the backbone and lifeline for me here on earth. She stepped in for me downstairs, gathered a few helpers and made it through Children's Church just fine. I got through my message, and by the divine inspiration and preparation of God, the music that was already picked out worked well with my message. Afterwards, those in the congregation ensured me that I did a good job and a few, at least three, said I had a promising future behind a pulpit. Had to come to grips with something like that thought, but somehow, by God, I accepted their compliments and well wishes with grace. Firm handshakes all around and out the door.

I still needed coffee, the 1.5 cups just didn't do it and I was mentally, emotionally and physically drained after church.

Today, however, I have had nearly a whole pot of coffee, making up for my weekend lack. Drink on java lovers!

What’s really going on in the world today? Is that we, as humans given dominion over all things, have ruined this place? Or, is it that we have allowed Satan a foothold in our lives so much that our country looks and runs the way it does? Or, are we so much like the Israelites of the Old Testament that God has allowed us to be in the hands of our enemies?

Judges 5:31 through 6:6, “So may all your enemies perish, O LORD! But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength." Then the land had peace forty years. Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help.

And again in Numbers 14:21-23 we read, “Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times - not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.”

There’s a pattern when you look at many of the Old Testament stories: The Israelites rebel and revolt against God; the Lord punishes the Israelites for their disobedience; the Israelites cry out to God for help; God provides a way out and provides redemption when they turn their ways back toward Him. Let’s read a little further in those passages of scripture. Judges 6:11-12, “The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” While Gideon may not have been a mighty warrior, God had chosen him as His instrument of redemption for the Israelites. And again in Numbers 14:30, “Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.” The Israelites turned from God when they could have walked into the promised land, but two men, Caleb and Joshua gave good reports of the land and tried to ensure that with God’s help it could be theirs. These two men, out of so many that came up out of Egypt, were the only two from that time who would enter into that land – the redemption.

Are we as a nation and as Christians in a similar pattern, and have we turned our ways from God so much and His desire for us as His people? Let’s take a moment just to look at a few things that have taken place in recent U.S. history:
Legalized abortions
Prayer in schools banned
People arguing to remove “under God” from the pledge of allegiance
People arguing to remove “In God We Trust” from all our monies
The rise in violent crimes, murder, foul language on radio and TV . . .
The list could go on and on for a very long time, I think you get the point.

So, is it Satanic influence in our society? Maybe, in part, but certainly not in whole. Is it the fault of Christians unwilling to bow to God’s will for His people? The same, part, but not wholly. I think it is a combination of many things. The book of Jude, versus 3 through 10, “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them.”

These godless people have infiltrated our lives, our families, our workplaces, our churches and our governments. Is that it for us then? No. You see, we as the church have been set apart by God for His good and great purposes. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” In that, each of us has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit. And if we move forward just a bit to 1 Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” We need to tap into those resources, each and every one of us, and help bring about real change and real revival, to awaken those lost souls to the Word and Power of God.

Now then, back to the Israelites. An angel of the Lord came to Gideon, Gideon tested God, God tested Gideon’s faith. In Judges 7:2-7 we see that Gideon had 32,000 men to start with, 22,0000 left when they were given the opportunity to do so; then, another 9,700 were weeded out, leaving Gideon with only 300 men to fight with against the Midianites. Most of you probably know the outcome of that one, Gideon and his men, by the Power of God, were victorious and caused the Israelites to once again turn their gaze back to the Lord. It may have not been the end to their usual pattern, but a return to the Lord none-the-less.

What if we would turn our gaze upon God? What if we would give God the credit for everything we accomplished, each and every day? Instead of saying, “I did it on my own” or “I did it my way.” Why not say, “God used ME to accomplish this!”

We have been given the power to move mountains, why not use that to make this world a better place? We follow a RISEN SAVIOR and if we look to Matthew 28:16-20, “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus tells us what we are to do and assures us that He will be with us to the very end of the age. Let’s do our best to fulfill that great commission before another generation passes. We are followers of Jesus, not followers of the world!

We, ourselves, are as much to blame for our current situation as the devil, but let us turn our gaze to Him who provides all, and is all. 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” God IS faithful and He will provide a way out for us. We need to open ourselves to Him and give Him the glory and honor He SHOULD receive from us. Let us be like the sun that rises in its strength, giving light to a darkened world.

I think things went well this past Sunday. The Youth Group did a great job leading the congregation in song, reading scripture and short stories, and I did what I could for a sermon (see post below for the message). However, things didn't exactly go as I had planned . . .

You see, I had planned on a praise & worship service, with a little bit of devotional reading about worship, but as last week rolled on MY plans were changed. I've been listening to sermons by several preachers on my iPod while at work, as well as good music and parts of the Bible. While listening to a sermon last week (Thursday to be exact) I was confronted by God on giving a sermon. I wanted to make it quick, easy, painless, easy, simple, and really easy. God however, wanted me to do more than the easy. He gave me a message and I was His mouthpiece on Sunday morning. I had expected to get comments afterwards, and I did.

To my surprise many said they really enjoyed the message (and apparently some told the pastor I had a future behind the pulpit). A few parts of the service went a little long, but I can't control, nor do I want to control, everything. I managed to squeeze eight songs out of everyone, stretching their vocal chords (and mine as well), and introduced some songs new to them. I don't see myself doing this every Sunday any time soon (famous last words?!?).

At any rate, the service went well and the youth group did a great job.

As the apostle Paul neared the end of his life on earth he writes to Timothy, still urging him on to continue his task. 2 Timothy 4:1-8 says, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day – and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

I think we all long for that time when will be taken by the Lord; not that we look forward to our earthly passing, but to our eternal birthing. And, as Paul instructs young Timothy, so must we; you and I, instruct these younger ones in our church.

Proverbs 4, verses 1 & 2 say, “Listen my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.” And again in verses 20 through 23, “My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.” Wisdom like that, from the Bible, and from the elders in our churches can make a world of difference.

Many of you reading this have been in the faith longer than I have been alive! God bless you for that; and I can only hope and pray that God may strengthen and sustain me as my years grow on! But, just because we’ve been in this a while, and yes, this is the next generation to take over the church, it doesn’t give us a pass to retire from our own Christian action. We can’t just hand over the reigns. On the contrary, these young people and the younger ones still, will and SHOULD lean on us when the time comes for them to be our leaders. They need good examples of what it is and what it means to be a good Christian man or woman. They need to learn about humble leadership. Jesus gave us all the perfect example of this by the washing of His disciples’ feet. These young people need direction and training, they need encouragement, correction and rebuke when needed. And I think, most of all, they need to know love.

In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul writes about love. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

We, as the adults and elders in the body of Christ, need to raise our children, all of the children from the youngest to the oldest, in a way that would allow them to grow and become what God intended them to be, and do it in and with much love.

That said, you and I are not finished. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my own so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” Just because we have the future of the church knocking doesn’t give us the right to roll over and sleep! Retirement? I think there is no such thing for us. If we sit back and relax who will give the instruction? Who will raise them?

Now, to those of you here helping with the service, and to those of you near the same age: listen to these who are mature in their faith, heed their instructions. The race isn’t always easy and you WILL endure hardships along the way. Trials will come, but they come and help us to grow in maturity, in knowledge and in understanding. Going back to the first passage of scripture, 2 Timothy 4:5 "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." Paul tells Timothy here there will be struggles, trials, hardships – but it is no reason to roll over. Ask any of the elders here this morning if trials and temptations have helped in their faith maturity. I think most, if not all, might say that the things they’ve endured in life have helped.

We need to instruct in righteousness, and to the best of your ability, listen, hear and put into practice what is said and taught. We aren’t here to tell you how to live, but only to share our own experiences (whether good or bad) – and the outcomes of the decisions we’ve made so that you can learn from and become better equipped in your life’s race.

We all run the race the apostle Paul wrote about. Some choose different approaches to the race, give up and quit is one approach. Run at a moderate pace, choose mediocrity is another, but Paul tells the church in Corinth, and by us reading his letter to them, he tells us to run differently; run as for the prize! Train and prepare! He also goes on to tell his fellow worker and his son in Christ, Timothy, to stand in those times of trials “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;” And towards the end of his own race the mentor tells young Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Let us do likewise, finishing that race by the power of the Holy Spirit, discharging all the duties of our own ministries, and always striving for that crown that will last forever, keeping to our faith to the very end.

This week marks the one year anniversary for our Pastor at New Harmony UMC. I think the man needs a break! I think he may have only missed a couple of weekends (due to seminary time), and he deserves to sit down and relax during church for a change.

This Sunday's service will be lead by the Youth Group and myself. There will be much singing, reading of scripture and some more singing. I may even have a short message (yet to be determined).

And, like the Pastor, the Youth Group deserves a little break as well. We won't be having Youth Group Sunday evening. Since those of you that normally come will be leading the service I think you should have a little time off also. We will still have Sunday School @ 9:15 in the Youth Room, so bring a friend or family member to join us.

Oh, don't forget we will be having lunch after the service, anyone and everyone is invited to come. Bring something to share, bring your appetite.

Until then, enjoy the rest of your week!

Christ
Easter. The Risen Christ. That is the reason we exist as Christians today. However, most citizens of the United States today would distance themselves from the church – holding little faith in what the church seems to stands for today. Ask many non-believers what the church stands for and the response might sound something like anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-big government, anti-anything. The responses we might not hear would be something along the lines of we stand for Christ Jesus, we stand for helping the under-privileged, we stand for unity in the body, we stand for faithful living, and so on. The things we should most be quoted for saying and being are the least in the minds of non-believers because of our actions and our lack of living out our faith. Many “church leaders” have been using their status as a political platform, using Christ as a springboard towards what they want to accomplish, not what God wants to accomplish through them. We are told to go into the world and make disciples, what we do is go into the world and spread dissension and confusion. Easter is a time where we should take a real hard look at ourselves, individually, and see what it is we really stand for, Christ or the world. I want to vow that I will make a recommitment to Jesus Christ this Easter, putting Him before all other decisions in my life, letting Him guide my decisions, letting Him be the head of my house.

Faith
Our faith is being tested during these times. Many of us put our faith in things of this world, rather than putting our faith and trust in God. As a parent, what is the worst thing you could imagine? How about putting your own child on death row, knowing he/she did nothing wrong? Why is that so hard to imagine? God did it 2000 years ago. It is in that birth to be death that our faith should lie, not on what the latest trends are, not on the current charismatic speakers, not on a book about a book about a movie. Complete trust or confidence in someone or something, that’s a dictionary definition of faith. Do we have complete trust or confidence in Christ? Many of us, myself included, are probably not in that category. I did a search online for quotes about faith, and to my surprise the first 18 quotations that popped up were all negative towards faith; cynical at best. Is that how we want to be seen when it comes to faith in Christ? Let’s all make a recommitment to our faith in Jesus this Easter; faith in who He was, who He is, and who He Will Be.

Hope
“A feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen.” Hope. I hope the weather gets better this week! I hope the New York Yankees win the World Series this year. I hope my kids go to college and I don’t have to pay for it! That’s what hope is to most of us. Hope for things of the world, hope for things, not hope for eternal things. My feelings of expectation and desire are for Christ to return. I understand that it may not be during my own lifetime, and I’m okay with that, but that’s where my hope lies. The Bible speaks truth, absolute truth, and it says that one day Jesus will return for all of those who’s faith rests in Him. What do you hope for? What are your expectations this Easter? I remember as a child that my expectations for Easter were for candy, maybe some new toys, and I knew I’d get that Easter outfit I’d only wear once. I usually got those things, but in a matter of days, sometimes hours, those things would be gone, never to be seen again. Today, as an adult I can only hope and pray that the thing I want most will come soon. How awesome would it be to wake up to our Savior ready to lead us to our eternal home? To me, that’s what hope is for, looking forward to the best of times, the best of things – knowing that I and all those around me would be perfect in God’s sight forever, with God forever. Isn’t that worth looking forward to? Let’s make a recommitment to hope. Not just hope in our lives, but hope in the future of the church, hope in each other, hope in the day Christ will come. Christ has died halleluiah. Christ has risen halleluiah. Christ will come again halleluiah!

Love
Jesus taught us the greatest commandment, to love. Love one another. Love as I have loved. Did you hear what Jesus said after those? Love, period. It wasn’t love, but put some restrictions on that love. He just said to love, period. In Greek there are a few different words for love; a word for brotherly love, physical love, and unconditional love. The word used to describe the love Jesus talks about is unconditional, or agape love. Love without end, without restrictions, love with out saying something after it. I love you all. I love you because Jesus loves you. In a real community, love, not power should be what drives us all to live together in harmony. Love, not money should lead our paths and ways of life. If you honestly love someone, regardless of what they do, regardless of who they may hang around, regardless of the addictions they may carry, if you really love someone, tell them. Just say it. I love you. Don’t put anything else after it, except maybe a hug, a kiss on the cheek, a holding of hands, or just a simple pat on the back. I love you without restriction. With all my heart, soul, mind and everything I have, I love you. This type of love is what it is to be a Christian, but too often we stray from that love and turn to the physical or brotherly love, love with things attached to it. The Father gave us His One and Only Son, to live a perfect life, without sin, without blame; the Son He put to death on a cross. He did this because He loved us from before we were born. And Jesus, out of love and obedience to His Father, loved us so much that He put Himself on that cross to blot out our sins from the Father’s eyes. He did this for you, He did this for me. Unconditional, unashamed love. Let’s recommit ourselves to what love should be, to what love is, to what Jesus wanted from us when He gave us the instructions to love one another.

I don't even know where to begin, but I'll attempt . . . God answers prayer.

I have struggled the last few months with being a "youth director" and whether or not it's where I'm supposed to be. I may have stated this before, but I got some confirmation while on our trip to Muncie last month. Still, I sometimes question myself and I continually seek God's guidance in this, ask for help and pray a lot over this.

Normally I can't attend the Wednesday evening prayer service, but I had stiches removed this afternoon and stayed home from work as a result - as it turned out there was a board meeting/discussion time along with the prayer meeting tonight at church. God works in funny ways sometimes. All I was hoping to do was see if we could get the church's support with the youth ministry (not just financial support, but physical, spiritual and prayer support).

We've been here alomst a year now and there's a lot Tina and I don't know about the history of NHUMC, but we are willing to learn and be a part of that history as it unfolds before our eyes. What I learned this evening was there was a couple a while ago (probably 15 years at least) that was in charge of the youth group at the time, very involved, very energetic, and in touch (as much as possible) with the teens of that time. One of those teens was sitting at the table with us during this meeting; grown with children. Another thing learned was that the prayer group that started a few years ago had a priority list, and at the top of that list was the youth of the church.

I can't remember the exact moments, but some really awesome things happened at this meeting and I received more confirmation as to my status as the youth director.

So, here I am, back at home typing on the iMac. Where is this going?

Here.

Right now.

This church gets it. Everyone at the meeting agreed that the youth of today will be the church leadership of tomorrow and they need the support of everyone elder to them. They are so willing to let God use them, their talents, skills, abilities, everything and I am humbled to be a part of that. I'm so used to having to jump through hoops to get anything accomplished at church. I've been praying that God would open doors for this group of teens entrusted to me. Praying that I would be able to be the man God wants me to be. Praying that my life can be an example of Christ to these kids. Tonight, sitting there with many of the elders of this church, I was humbled several times over. A few times I fought back tears. These people are awesome and they want to reach out to as many teens as they can. One said to me that she is so glad that I came to this church and told me how glad she was that I share my talents and abilities with the teens (one of whom is her grand daughter).



What I expected was not what I received. What I received was unexpected. What I received I will gladly share with any teen that walks through those doors; broken, beaten, depressed, stressed, addicted, happy, sad, mad - I am not bothered by the conditions, but I do care about you and I will share something truly amazing with you . . . a story that broke even me and was shared with even me, the story that came from heaven.

Jesus.