Discouraging...

I came home this afternoon from taking the kids to do a service project no less - to find my yard Christmas decorations stolen. They were taken in broad daylight! My neighbor told me that she saw them as late as 12:30 this afternoon. By 3 they were ripped out of my yard. SO, I put up a sign in their place that reads, "Dear THIEVES, Please return OUR Christmas Decorations (-Mickey and Pluto)." I drew a broken heart and a frown face with a tear.

I don't know why this bothers me so much. The decorations were a gift, so we didn't lose money. I think it's for the reason my son was concerned, when he asked how this could have happened, how we didn't know, how they were able to come this close and no one saw them. I think it shook his sense of security and now sitting here alone I feel mine doing the same. I know, I get it, we don't NEED those decorations....but the fact that someone can come this close, right in the middle of the day, to do as they please with no notice, well, it doesn't settle well.

So now we have a new front porch light (which is ON) and our back porch light is on and of course the alarm is set and doors are locked.

My hope is that it was just dumb kids being - well, dumb kids. I hope the items are returned, if for nothing else but to make us feel secure again. :(

I don't see how taking someone's CHRISTMAS decorations can benefit anyone else. I don't see how that's 'funny' or how those people can sleep knowing they've become the grinch that stole.

Ug.

Break Us

Because of several things I cannot type here, I (and several others highly invested/involved) have felt persecution/offense, beliefs have been questioned, and much more that have me digging deep into His word and finding truth, questioning, searching and seeking. What it is that I believe? Is it that it's what I believe, or is it TRUTH? Am I willing to stand up for it, NO MATTER WHAT? Am I loyal/committed to a church, or Christ? Am I bound to a denomination because of my culture, family or geographical location??

So... I'm looking for a new church. Part of me is under the thinking that organized religion is the problem. Not for everyone, not in every situation, NOT all of them, but unfortunately those I've come across. To new believers, or non-believers, or stagnant or arrogant believers, these types of tainted 'religions' are the wall between them and a rawness, realness and freedom of a DAILY relationship with Christ. Christ didn't design fellowship with him and others (lost or otherwise) to be about 'face' value, facades, about being 'comfortable', about appeasement or judgment, about money or status, or about "dressing up" (figuratively or otherwise) for the occasion. We are supposed to question!! (Psalm 10:4)., We are just supposed to come - regardless of where we are! (Matt. 11:28-30) We are not supposed to put our entire trust and faith in man, or religion, but come together as a community for Him! (Romans 12:3-5) Jesus said Come, follow ME! (Mark 1:17) As a good friend (also closely involved in this situation) recently said to me, "This is not what Jesus is about! This is not for Him! If he were to walk in this place today he would come in knocking over tables!"

Now I understand the reasons for church, and those are biblical. We are supposed to position ourselves with like-minded individuals, we are supposed to join together to encourage and worship corporately, we are supposed to bind together and to reach out. (See Hebrews 10:24-25, Colossians 3:14-16, Romans 12:5, Corinthians 12:12-17) But in my life I have yet to find this church. This church without the walls of hypocrisy, judgment, arrogance and greed. It's unfortunate and discouraging. I get that we're all human, but leadership - in placing themselves in the position of representation of God, leaders of believers - there is a standard, a call, a life above reproach, a transparency, and an ACCOUNTABILITY that one must commit too. Again, as we are all human, I understand that even these called few may on occasion stumble, may need to be supported and helped. But when these called few take to arrogance and lies beyond that of accountability or change, then they have failed. It isn't to say they will not be convicted to change, called to action or led to repent/refocus. However, I cannot in good conscience align myself with those who are of the current ill, as it may pull me to their deception, or cause my witness to fail just by association. I cannot in good conscience have my family trust in or follow this leadership and teaching.

Please do not misread this as me being self-righteous! It's actually the opposite, in that I'm afraid at this time I'm not strong enough on my own to stay within something like this and stay focused on my relationship with Christ. I don't know enough, although I am convicted to hungrily dig in again to His word, into connection and fellowship with Him. And that is by His design, so I shouldn't be afraid of change, or of uncertainty, because these things drive me closer, not farther away from Him.

So, I will continue to try my best to search, ask questions, be who I am for HIM and no one else. I'll try my best not to judge, but be the 'skin' of Jesus, showing love to others - where they are - even if they don't have an immediate heart change. I won't shun, or condemn, I will speak the TRUTH! in love.

As much as it hurts to change, I know that God allows things for a purpose. I (and the others leaving) feel lost and confused, but I know they have a heart for God, for Truth and in that they are clinging to Him and digging deeper into His word. This has not shaken our faith!

I'm prayerfully seeking another church family for my family to become part of. I'm kinda getting excited. I know that we will find a home of His choosing that will allow my family to connect and be fed, at the same time challenging us to serve. Right now, there's a particular church I'm anxious to visit. It doesn't have a permanent facility - ON PURPOSE. It's beliefs are based on biblical truths and it's open to everyone, reaches out to everyone and works on the matter of the heart before the actions of the flesh, knowing that change will come from love, understanding and obedience. What a refreshing change! What if the whole world could have this understanding! I'm looking more into it, but here's the lyrics from a worship song I stumbled across on their site that speak volumes -

What if we lived as Jesus lived?
If we could give as he gives?
What if we pray as he prayed?
This whole world would have no choice but to change

What if we walked as Jesus walked?
What if we followed what he taught?
If we really lived as though he came?
This whole world would have no choice but to change

Oh, Break Us
This is not a game

Oh, Break Us
This is not a game

What if loved as Jesus loved?
What if in Him we placed our trust?
Invest in His kingdom, not our stuff?
This whole world would have no choice but to change

Oh, Break Us
This is not a game

Oh, Break Us
This is not a game

Break Us

Sweet Girl

Over the last couple of weeks, I've got to spend some much needed quality time with my little girl. With everything that her big brother is involved in, and Dusty working two jobs and my job and volunteering, plus coaching, lil J doesn't get to be the center of attention as much as she (and I, admittedly) would like her to be.

Well, last week she went under for dental work. I was a wreck!! But by the grace of God, she came through it just fine, and such a trooper! She is so determined and strong and independent, just like her stubborn mama and her strong grandma. :)

But this weekend, in the busy-ness of getting prepared for two games, me singing on Sunday, YL leader meeting, getting prepared for our upcoming YL banquet, etc., Jaedyn got a fever. Then she got diagnosed with strep. During this time, my "big man" went on his 5th grade class trip to Sky Ranch.

Since Saturday, I've gotten to snuggle with my little girl (something she doesn't do regularly because she's "busy" or only does it for a second). I've had the chance to read book after book with her (she can read!! Like overnight, it clicked! She went from "A" level books in class to chapter books in like a week!!), watch movies, cuddle, hold hands, smooch!, and generally enjoy being together as she stayed home from school. When we went to the Dr., we were waiting in the room and I was counting the precious freckles on her face. Many months before, I had told her that freckles were angel's kisses, and that's why she had so many! So, this day, without talking about angels, as I was counting, she said, "Mom, can you kiss my nose so I'll have more freckles?" I said, "Oh...! Baby,? Are you saying Mommy is an angel?" She grinned wide and shook her head yes, her gorgeous little eyes twinkling!

I wasn't excited for Jaedyn to have to go under in a dentist office, and obviously I didn't want her to get strep, but I see how even through these things God's at work in our lives. My daughter and I got to bond again and spend sweet time together -time I miss with a big lump in my throat today because she's back at school - and this morning, she read her first bible verse all on her own! As she sounded out the words, and read aloud, on her own His word for the first time, I thought I would cry!! She beamed from ear to ear after and said, "Now I can read His words!"

It doesn't get any better than that...:)

The ONE

By Eric Scofield, Regional Director
Young Life Southcoast Region

Sometimes we can see a crowd ... I mean, sometimes I do. I have been at camp now for a month. I have seen thousands of faces, heard hundreds of stories and seen hundreds of kids respond to the Gospel by turning to Christ.

Sometimes there is a kid who rises above the crowd. It is as if this kid represents all the faces. In Luke 15 where there is the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son — there is such a celebration of "the one" that is found.

"Leave the 99, and go after the ONE."

The ONE for me arrived last week. This kid Loren came into camp and was immediately an icon. He looked and dressed so uniquely, and carried himself differently than any of the other kids. He said he was an atheist. While sitting with me at lunch one day, he said that he was thrilled to give up drinking for the week. He also admitted to leaving his satanic bible at home for the week.

As the week progressed, Loren had so many exchanges with our team — work crew, summer staff, camp staff, assigned team — everyone was loving on Loren. Some of the summer staff guys even painted their fingernails black, and on the last day of camp put some eye shadow on to be "with" Loren.

Loren, who lives just down the street from camp in Williams, Ariz., met Christ and stood up at the Say-so to an all-camp ovation. (I had never seen this before.) He met Christ. Amazing.

He went home, and two days later walked the three miles uphill back to camp. He just wanted to check in. We greeted him with hugs and acceptance. He just wanted to see if this place was real — and that people were not doing all the same things for other kids. It was real.

Loren went to the Williams, Ariz., area Campaigners last night. He burned his satanic bible. He is thinking of doing work crew third session.

Loren is the face in the crowd for me this summer. What we — you and me — are about in this crazy mission of Young Life actually works. Kids are meeting Christ.

Thank you for helping this take place — thank you for helping us go after the ONE. In this case, Loren.

(In my quiet time yesterday God laid these passages (below) on my heart, then this morning I read this article!)

Luke 15:8-10 (Message) …imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' Count on it—that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (Message) Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

In YL (and in life!!) we have amazing freedom in Christ and such a unique opportunity, that we get to share, walking along side – with and among – these teenagers (and/or others), just like Paul talks about, just like Jesus would have done. Our YL area has grown immensely this past year and that the idea of all those new faces can be overwhelming and can make us, as leaders, feel that our time spent isn’t accomplishing much. But I know that God will align each of us with that ONE (or two!) - We just have to trust that He will guide us to let His work be done in that student’s life.

Hide His truth in your heart and let Him lead the way! Wouldn’t it be awesome to be part of the party with the Angels in celebration of just that ONE?

Mountain Pics!

Click to enlarge.

"The Mountain" Part 2 (read posts below first, then above)

I probably twisted my ankles or slid or stumbled about every ten feet because of the steepness of the mountainside paired with the loose rocks and dirt (and my obvious lack of mountain climbing shoes! HA!). If I had it my way I would have done anything to get down quickly because I was hungry, dirty, tired and really needed to pee! But two of our girls were ‘in tow’. One didn’t make it to the top, but made it farther than she ever imagined (because of her physical limitations) and was waiting for us a bit further down. The other was the one who cried out of embarrassment the way up. I walked and talked with her first and last. We hiked down until we reached the girl waiting, the first girl went on, I stayed the slower pace with this one now. I prayed every two seconds while talking with this girl (for several reasons). I held her hand or her shoulders, at times she leaned on me for support when she had pain or was tired or hot. I caught her several times when she stumbled and nearly fell.

I was honored! I kept feeling like, it wasn’t me!! I was experiencing what it was like to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He gave me the words to say, even scripture! At one point I bent down, with no motive or plan, surprisingly to me, and got a handful of cold water out of a mountain stream to put on this girl’s face and neck. I almost started crying!! God was pouring over me supernatural love for this girl. He was showing me what Jesus would have done for her, for me - and was acting through me to do it. I get goosebumps just thinking about it! I was honored and humbled and in awe at what these moments meant, and who was really directing and orchestrating them – it was too much!! We got down to the half-way point and the other girl was waiting. I left this one with the CAT (golf cart-ish thingy) to take her the rest of the way down. Now I continued my slow pace with this other girl. It was just me and her now, and she apologized for crying on the way up the mountain and explained why she was so embarrassed. She said she didn’t want her peers to see her, sick, tired and unable to stay with the group, making her the last one up. She went on to say that prayed for strength, and knew what faith was at one time, but had lost assurance and at times had doubts.

God gave me the words again!! I told her she should be proud she was last, because in that, she was actually first. It’s easy for some, yes. Just like in life, but that’s not how faith is grown. Faith is believing - moving through around, among, over and into situations that are difficult and sometimes seem impossible – because you know who is in control. Relying on Him in those trying times, learning through those times to lean on Him for everything, is just like the mountain we climbed. In life you can take the easy route, or make decisions that would ultimately make your life (here) easier, or just plain give up, but that’s not faith. I told her what she did on that mountain was inspiring and surprising even to her, and should couldn’t have done it without the drive, the support, the faith to see her through. I told her to not look at her experience as negative, because out of all the kids on that mountain, she wasn’t last, her experience caused her to learn and grow, just like her faith in the ‘real world’ and for that, she is in first place. She said she’d never thought of that way, and now she was proud.

I was the last person down that mountain that day, the last on the last bus back to camp. God spoke to me and refreshed me and revived me and taught me about faith and having a servant’s heart. I was uncomfortable being met with applause at the end, because to me it wasn't something worthy of praise. It wasn't about me. It was about letting go, and being empty of myself to be used by Him. What I was happy and thankful and honored for was that I was chosen, given the opportunity to be a vessel, making that trek, up and down, humbled and amazed at every turn as we climbed, just me, that small few and God.

"The Mountain" Part 1 (read posts below first, then above)

The next day I found out that Zach was going to be ok. (HUGE relief!) So...on to climb a 14k mountain! Hardest thing I've ever done, hands down.

We had those in our cabin that griped about getting up early, griped about going, griped, griped, cried and threatened to go back. We also had those with serious physical limitations, and a couple who had come down with strep (diagnosed) at the half-way point on the mountain climb. There are 'head leaders' and doctors and staff prepared to 'take over' with these kids to get them up and down the mountain so I can stay with my other leader and the rest of the group. I could have, that would have been the easy, and expected (planned for) way out. But God told me NO WAY. Through the next several hours He helped me encourage, and at times, literally carry these kids up the mountain. He was my hands as I dried tears, he was my voice when I stopped to pray with them when they were sure they couldn't go any more, He was our strength when even I thought it was a lost cause and we should go back. We were 100 yards from the top (also the steepest part of the climb) when our small group had had it. One girl turned from the group and began crying at how embarrassed she was to be the last up, and was NOT going all the way. It took 20 minutes and all of us supporting her, but she and the rest made it to the top.

I can’t put into words what was on the top of that mountain. (I’ll try.) There were 360 views of breathtaking mountain peaks as far as you could see. There wasn’t one spot where you could see beyond them. It felt like you could reach up and touch the billowy clouds spotted amongst the sunshine. You looked down the other side of the mountain, a place certainly untouched by man because of it’s location and see fresh water pools and streams and valleys of green beneath the treacherous and ragged walls of the mountains surrounding them. It was in the high 80s (we were sweating) and we could walk to the snow peaks and hold snowballs. There were kids and leaders spread out on rocks, almost 500 bodies in a surreal quiet taking pictures, hugging, praying, crying. The sense of accomplishment, I think, was even sweeter for us ‘band of misfits’ that held the end line. As I looked to those girls who had only shown their ‘darkness’, their bitterness – the ones who rolled their eyes, made snide remarks or flat out refused to join us, but were coerced (forced :>) to, they had grins as big as their faces and tears they couldn’t stop. Our area director stood amongst everyone and saw what these kids accomplished and his heart seemed to burst! He cried and hugged us leaders and told us how much he loved us. It was truly a moment I’ll never forget. I bonded with girls on the way up, the way down was just another kind of awesome....