Who Are You???

I been given the opportunity to work with the 11th and 12th grade youth members.

What an awesome blessing.

I often feel like I’ve been gifted by God to work with the Youth, then I volunteer to do something, then I get nervous and feel like I was presumptious, and am not really gifted after all.  I spend time in doubt and worry, then finally get to a point of no return and am crossed between excited and hopeless.  But, without fail, after I commit to the path, and give it my best effort, God always works it out for good.  Tonight was one of those nights.

I had a message to share:  Teens need to have a good self identity.  Not a good self esteem, but identity.  One based upon God, and who they are through Him.  We looked at David, and how God chose him, and how David really knew who he was.  We looked at 1 Sam 13:7 and saw that God doesn’t judge based upon outward appearances.  We looked at Psalm 139 and saw that David gave God credit for who he was even from his mother’s womb.  We looked at Jeremiah and saw that God has plans for us.  God created us, God defines what is actually valuable, God has a plan for us.  From the begining we are who we are because what God has done and will do for us.

It went great.  They nodded and got it.  I was prepared for the 1 question that came up.  It was fun.

What’s coolest is that the Pastor said that one/some of the kids said they had fun and I did good.  I had another teen comment on my facebook page that she had fun.

It’s just awesome when you get to look back and see God using you, even when you don’t feel quite adequate.

God is Good!!!

Back to school

So we all know school is starting back up this Monday, and I am excited , seriously. I am hoping to start inviting more people to church. This past week we had 22 people at youth group and to me, that is mind-blowing.

I just wanted to write my prayer for me, you, anyone really

Lord,

I just pray for this school year, that you help me make right decisions.

That you give me courage and wisdom and the right words to say when inviting people to church.

I pray that you give me strength while representing you and that I am a light, That I don’t give in to peer pressure, and stay strong.

I just thank you for everything you have done, and you continue to do. I pray that this year is a reflection of you.

Amen

Ray

Reconciliation hurts… so good

It’s been a while since I’ve posted.  I hope that there are still some readers out there.  Ray and Lex must have gotten busy too.  Haven’t seen them active in a while either.

 

I’ve spent the last hour working with Cody on his “confession/apology/thanksgiving/goal setting/wish list/conversation guideline”.  We’re probably going to have our first “talk” with Marissa and I, Cody, and his parents.  

 

Pray for him people, he’s choosing a hard road, one of honesty and integrity.  

 

Cody is going to confess his sins, ask for forgiveness, lay out his goals, and try to explain how he found himself in this position.  He’s preparing to return to his home and be honest with his friends, and accountable for his actions, not falling for peer pressure at every turn. 

 

I’ve been in Cody’s spot many times in my life.  It’s a lonely, scary, seemingly hopeless place.  I can see it in his eyes and it’s breaking my heart.  I wish I could take it for him, but I can’t.  He’s chosen the path of reconciliation, with God, with his parents, with himself.  It’s a painful thing to look down deep inside and see yourself for what you are.  It’s ironic in a way, how much America, and the world, deny teenagers.  Cody is basically on the road to recovery, and he hasn’t even had a chance to get hooked on anything yet.  Hurts, habits and hang-ups.  It’s all about what’s happening in your heart.

 

This is Cody’s journey, his life is really beginning now, what must be in store for him in the future.

 

Thanks,

Ben