With Everything

     We had a youth night last night at our church and it was just amazing.  We were basically giving testimony of the wonders of God's work while we were at youth camp a few weeks ago.  The kids all lined up in the foyer high-fiving people as they came into church excited and pumped to being doing God's will.  They got up and danced for the congregation and we played a video and slide show showing some of the stuff done at camp.  The kids did a prayer warrior skit that entailed what they were prepared to do in God's army. I believe this was my favorite portion of the night, it was amazing. Afterwards we went into worship and then everyone gave their detailed testimony from camp and how God moved on their hearts.  The service ended with three baptisms.  All in all, a  phenomenal night.

     During camp we had 3 salvation's to Christ and 2 re-dedications.  I was reminded last night as it was my turn to speak about how we become spiritually dead sometimes.  It's like we go to church and somehow life gets in the way and instead of going to worship God, we go as a civic duty constantly looking at our watch wondering if it's over yet.  We forget to leave our baggage at the door and allow the will of the Lord to do His work.  I myself have felt that at times.  I work the media at church and sometimes with all the requirements of making sure the congregation gets the info they need, it's difficult to worship.  It's not always that way, but sometimes it feels that way.

     I sometimes feel as though some go to church to look good and feel good about themselves, but they never get involved with anything.  I was reminded at camp about "Love" and just how much it should be a part of every congregation.  The congregation should not only worship together and love God together, but they should love each other and help each other.  As I stood in worship services at camp and watched these teenagers go to the altar and pour their hearts out to God, it was amazing to see those who followed in droves to put hands on them to pray with them.  I remember one time I was up at the altar praying with two of our youth and all of a sudden I felt multiple hands on my back as I laid hands on the other two.  It was amazing the power that I felt course through as I felt God doing His work through me, and well, it was amazing.

     Camp was not only a time for the youth, but also a time for the adults to be revitalized in the Lord as well.  There are still many things I am trying to learn in my walk of faith.  Things are still so new to me that I struggle with understanding sometimes.  I also have my own demons that the Lord is working with me on.  These demons were re-iterated at camp with some of our sessions.  I even read one of the books from mercy ministries that helped put some things in perspective while there.  I recall them saying that each one of us was at camp for a reason, we may not know what that reason is, but there was one.  Whether any of us knew it at the beginning of the week, God had a master plan and His benefits were truly rewarding.

     I think the only regrets I have from camp were, it wasn't long enough, and next year when I go, someone else is gonna have to take pics too so I can do more with the kids.  Hopefully next year, some of my medical issues will be better so that I can do more with the kids.  I also regret that this is the first time I ever attended camp.  I feel extremely blessed to have went with the group of teenagers that I went with.  I see great things in their future and believe God will help them through anything.  Even when we don't think He's there, He is.  I remember back to being a child and growing up and not really attending church on a regular basis and definitely not being saved in any sort of way, the struggles that I went through.  I realize now, through all the battles, demons, depressions, and alcohol binders, God was still with me and kept me from doing things that I could not recover from.  His hand has been on me all along, even before I was saved.  The wonderful thing now is that I understand to Him goes the glory and honor.

     I'm not going to say that tough times still don't ensue, but they are better now that He is a part of my life than not.  I don't know what I would do if I would have never turned my life over to God.  Life is so much better now than it has ever been.  Camp will forever remind me that "With Everything", "I Will Exalt You" and I will continue to be forever grateful that You "Lead Me To The Cross" and "Saved Me (Hosanna)".  I learned that with everything, I will shout forth Your glory and praise and that because You're with me, I will not fear. I am honored and forever grateful to have been a part of this group and I look forward to it for many years to come. I pray that these kids and the adults continue to stay on target and reinvigorated in the Lord's work and continue to bring that to the congregation each and every week. Because if they continue to do His will, the "Awakening" that could occur could be absolutely phenomenal. God Bless!

Rejection

     This past week was spent at church camp with an amazing group of teens and an awe inspiring Clear Camp staff who were on fire for the Lord.  Wow, to have that drive, that motivation, that energy for the Lord all of the time.  It was a hot, tiring, draining (emotionally and physically), exhausting, spiritually uplifting, spiritually challenging, motivating, all out frenzy of praise and worship for the one true God.

     Bible study and Worship services were offered twice a day.  It would be amazing if we could do this everyday and not have to worry about working.  But just spend our time learning and loving the Lord more than we already do.  Learning about the barriers that we still have in our own journey with the Lord.  The bible studies were designed for each age group as well as for the adults.  And if I haven't said it, they have an amazing staff from top to bottom.

     One of the lessons taught, and seemingly the most moving for the entire group, was a lesson taught on rejection.  We discussed wounds and scars in the spiritual sense.  It was discussed how wound's are sores not yet healed and how some of us choose not to allow our wound to heal because we like the attention.  That hit a nerve for me because I could imagine some I know like this.  There would be some who would say that I fit into this category, and maybe they would be right.  Some wounds just aren't that easy to be healed.  Unfortunately, there are wounds we have had almost our entire lives never having the guidance or the knowledge to understand how to be healed from these wounds. Once healed from these wounds, we will have scars.  Scars are wounds that have been tended to by God and no longer hurt.

    The most devastating rejection that one will endure is the rejection of a parent.  The rejection of parents will devastate you the rest of your life.  Sadly, unless that parent gets right with the Lord and reaches out to the child, the wound will most likely continue.  You see, it's not the child's responsibility to mend the relationship, but it is the parent’s responsibility.  I gave up on my Father ever having anything to do with me years ago.  That rejection was not felt once, but twice—once  as a child, and again as an adult.  Regardless of the age, the pain still cuts deep.

     Unfortunately, any time we choose to love, we undoubtedly risk the possibility of being rejected.  This rejection can be from family, friends, co-workers, or significant others.  Some of us have dealt with rejection our entire lives and we tend to guard ourselves, bailing before we can be hurt. I'm guilty; I've been in this position more times than I can count. It's like we try to fill a vacancy with unchecked fear inviting all kinds of sin into our lives to fill that vacancy.  Some of us choose to fill that vacancy with promiscuity, thinking eventually someone will love us for all of the wrong reasons. Others choose alcohol and drugs to numb the pain.  I'm fortunate that I chose the lessor of these evils with the drinking as a way of numbing my pain, feeling as though somehow I could lose the rejection in a bottle of tequila.  How many years wasted did I have?  Who knows?  It's too many to count.

     With this lesson I've realized that on the horizon is good news.  If you are a child of the King, he has called you, me, and everyone else out of the darkness who chooses to call upon Him. Let God have the time and attention He needs and He will heal the rejection.  It may take some time.  It is hard to give up a crutch you've lived with for so long, because for some of us, how will we survive if others do not feel pity for us?  Once you realize the problem, pray on it, and give it to God.  Let him take this wound that cuts so deeply and turn it into a scar that represents the beauty of His love.  Until you call upon Him, you will never fully realize that He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  So, on that note, what are you waiting for?  Thanks to Lisa at Clear Camps for this amazing insight.

To Save A Life

     I attended a funeral today of a young man in the prime of his life.  15 years old and his life is already over.  From what I've read, it appears as though the kid may have been bullied often at school, and due to the lack of guidance in his life, he succumbed to the cruelties of society and committed suicide.

     This funeral brought my thoughts back to when I was in high school, when in the 9th grade, a kid I went to school with did the same thing.  He was so overcome with the burdens of life; he went to the front steps of the middle school and shot himself.  The principal found him as he came to unlock the school that morning.

   Seems back then, suicide of kids was rare.  Parents actually parented instead of allowing Xbox, PlayStation, WII's, computers, or television to be their babysitter.  Parents appeared to be more in tune with their children because they actually spent more time with their children.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that parents were allowed to discipline their children without fear that the cops would come beating down their door.  Maybe it was because 15-20 years ago, the morals and values of this nation were not in such a decline as they are now.

     Let's face it, children mimic what they see.  Children bully others because it is something that is learned.  They learn these things from society, television, video games, and their parents.  I say parents because parents have the ability to change the games they play, TV. shows they watch, or Internet sites they peruse.  Some unfortunately is learned from the violence in the home that they undoubtedly carry out into the schools.  They see dad knock mom around and somehow think this is an acceptable way of treating others.  Kids become so obsessed with being cool and popular; they don't have a problem being cruel to people to gain that popularity.  The sad thing is, in 5, 10, 15 years, no one will care how popular you were in high school.

     As I sit here and watch the church fill up with some of the children from his school, I wonder how many were part of the bullying, because it’s evident not enough were involved with the prevention, or else we wouldn't be here.  People will drop by the Facebook page dedicated to his memory and leave nice comments.  Some no doubt will have a sense of regret for the things they wish could have been different if only they would have done the right thing and called out the bullies on their behavior. Others will feel a sense of guilt for the part that they played in the bullying.  Sadly, some will not care and will continue their behavior day after day until eventually there is another child who can't handle the bullying.  Hopefully this will be a wakeup call to those bullies showing them the consequences of their actions.

    My question to you is this.  How much time does it take to look beyond ourselves and show kindness to others?  We have the ability to stop these atrocities.  We have the ability to change who we are and how we respond to others.  We have the ability to save a life.  We can all make a difference in someone’s life whether negative or positive.  What difference will you make in someone’s life?  Will you stand proud, stand firm, stand strong with the power and the glory of the Lord by your side and take the first step to save a life?