Here we are again. Camp Logue Brook, Harvey. Stay tuned.
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Here is a wonderful promise from God.
Despite ( insert your troubles here), overwhelming victory is mine through Christ, who loved me.
Blessed.
‘Go in the strength you have… Am I not sending you?’ Judges 6:14
One of the common rips that causes people in ministry to go under, is that of doing everything in ones own strength. Failure to delegate. Not trusting others to do their part. The need to have control. All these things can lead to burnout. Yet God says to Gideon ‘Go in the strength you have…’. There is a sense that, when doing the work God gives us to do, we must work at it with all our strength. In other words, we must put in some effort. Ministry is not easy. It is draining. It requires discipline, focus and good old fashioned hard work. But we are fooling ourselves if we think that our effort alone will achieve anything of Kingdom value.
It is only because God is with us that we see ‘success’ or fruit. The question is, are we working where God has sent us?
“What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me?’
Can you sense the brokenness of God’s heart? How it must really grieve our Father when we abandon Him to chase after other things.
This past week we have been helping to run the third Thailand Immerse. It was, I believe, a success. The young Thai leadership team really stepped up this year and lead well. The small group leaders did a great job. The creative team were excellent. But most of all, God did what God does best… He revealed His great love to many young people. He touched hearts. He opened the door to His Kingdom and welcomed many in. Lives were changed. Hurts were healed. The Lonely were embraced. The believers were encouraged. Please pray for those who accepted Jesus as their savior. They realized their need and came forward to submit to His authority. They were welcomed into to Body of Christ. it was a very moving moment to see. I will never forget it… But I hope to see more of it. Rejoice.
I have been in Thailand for just over a week now. First impressions… Very friendly people who love life, value community and enjoy celebrating. In just a few days it will be the Thai new year celebration, Songkran. Can’t wait. The streets will be filled ( even more than they already are) with people. There will be lots of water, a nation wide water fight. We will get wet. It’s a tradition. But not everyone here agrees. Some say the traditional new year celebration has been highjacked, that the original meaning has been somewhat lost. What do I think? I don’t know that I have been here long enough to have an opinion. Now where was that shop I saw the other day?
After much planning, prayer and anticipation, today we finally head off to Thailand. Not sure what to expect. Expecting to be amazed. Amazed that God chooses to work through cracked pots like me. Stay tuned.
I never stop being amazed at the creativity that God’s story inspires in young people. I’ve been speaking at a youth camp this weekend, introducing the idea of God’s heart for restoration. After each session, everyone is invited to draw on their camp tee-shirt something that represents what they have heard. Very inspiring.
I am currently reading a number of articles about youth ministry philosophy and I came across an excellent article by Mark W. Cannister. In it he observes…
Youth ministry grew out of revivalism and is historically based upon missional theology. Youth ministry is a missional ministry whose objective it is to proclaim the gospel to a nation named Adolescence. And regardless of the strategy, the historical objective must remain.
What do you think?