#followjesus

So I'm new to Twitter... I've learned that # is proceeded by a phrase that sums up your tweet (message), that @is how you tag or mention someone in your tweet, and you follow people on Twitter and also you have followers that follow you.  A timeline is a list of tweets from people you follow.  Twitter 101.

Tonight at YL.  I showed this video called Follow.  I talked about if Jesus had Twitter back in Biblical times... this would be His timeline, these would be His followers, this would be His story. 

Please watch the video:
http://vimeo.com/22305133?ab

We focused on Peter... good ole' Peter.  The one whom Christ loved, who denies Christ 3 times when times get tough, when his life is on the line.  Then in John 21- Peter gets a second chance to follow the risen Christ.  Jesus asks him 3 times if he loves him and to follow Him.  I love Peter and how Jesus did too.  Aren't we all a bit like Peter? 

God showed up at YL club tonight.  50ish high school students from LSHS, LSN, LSW, and Blue Springs South too.  :)  After talking I let kids share thoughts about following Jesus.  I stood amazed.  Audrey, Nick, and Laura... all sharing how their lives are somewhat like Peter.
Nick- how his best friend is Jesus, how YL camp showed him that, how you can be complimented by others but not completed by anyone but Christ.  Audrey- how doubt is okay and Jesus is so real.  Laura- how YL showed her Jesus and camp changed her life.  These words don't give their words justice... they spoke their heart and it was felt and God showed up.  Thank you!!!

If Jesus had a Twitter account would you follow Him?  Are you following Jesus in real life?  Are you denying Him?  #followjesus life will be beautifully messy, but so worth it. 

Thank you for supporting YL.  God is at work in hearts of students and in hearts of leaders. 

Reminded

Funny how a former YL kid who is now a married adult living a life following Christ can come back in your life and remind you of who you are.  Sarah was one of my YL kids 7 years ago... Sarah is in town for a couple of days and I had the honor of being one of whom she spent some time with.  We were discussing her job in helping girls with eating disorders and the complexity of their problems.  I was sharing of the complexity of issues teens are facing all so very deep and so real.  Sometimes it just feels overwhelming and she reminded me that the Gospel is simple.  Christ is it.  He came for us, died for us, and wants life for us.

Our goal is to trust Him with all the complexity we face and those around us face.  Not to carry their load or the burden but to trust it to Him.  Thanks Sarah... for your wisdom and what you do.  You are a constant reminder of this calling.  Love.

cool video- gospel

A moment...

this song... i can't get enough of it Sweet Disposition.  "a moment, a love, a dream, a laugh... won't stop till it's over."  it makes me think of so many things:  my friend sarah's wedding, special moments that were priceless.  the diet coke commercial that stole this song.  i think of moments that i feel the love of Christ around me and through others (YL club last night- thank you Whitney for sharing your heart), i think of moments i am thanked in a text or by a smile, a laugh, or today a good ole' punch in the arm (thank you kiersten).  also today someone took a moment to write me a note for some reason it connects me back to this song that's been on repeat in my mind.  probably because the person who wrote the note captured what i do and feel called to do.  she is a parent of a yl student that i see Christ in and love dearly and am honored to have many moments with.

(watch and listen to this song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-ENipUB8NI

here is a glimpse of the note:

"My idea of effective discipleship is "life rubbing off on life," where you share your faith in an authentic way.   You went above and beyond that by taking her skiing.  She had a fantastic time and you created a memory for her that she will always have.  We are so grateful to you for sharing your life and heart with her and so many others."

a moment, a love, a dream, a laugh... won't stop till it's over.

New Life

I had the opportunity to be an assistant coach of girls CC at LSN this past fall.  Totally God showing up and giving me a foot in the door at LSN.  I met 35 great girls and began to form a relationship with them... earning the right to be heard.  Many of the girls knew I was the AD of YL and began coming to YL club and even campaigners.  One in particular came week after week.  Sticking to the sidelines and and taking it all in week after week.  Well last night she said yes to a relationship with Christ.  After hearing one of our new leaders Dillon share her story she told me that she wanted a relationship with Christ.  I praised her for being bold and asking for help in how to do that... her response, "I'm not bold I've been wanting to do this for 5 months!"  So new life begins!! 

AMEN

Full Circle

Ahhhhhhh Spring Break.  I just got back from taking 6 YL girls to Winter Park for a ski trip.
What I am learning is the more we take kids (they hate when I call them that so...) YL friends out of
their element, remove them from distraction, and create a space for adventure and great conversation God works.  I'm not waiting for YL camp for God to move.  I want Him to move now and that He is.
At camp we have a set day where we have one-on-one times with YL friends that are in our cabin.  YL leaders meet with them, ask them how they are doing, listen, listen, and listen... and see what they need and where they are at with their desire to follow Christ and what concerns/questions they have about life.  They open up their hearts and share and those moments we stand on Holy Ground.
Well, I'm not waiting for camp for those moments.  So I wanted that for the ski trip.  I wanted to pull them out of their life, their worries, sports, and struggles and have an adventure and great conversation.  I wanted to find out what they fear, where they stand with Christ, their concerns/questions, how I can be there, how I can pray over them... how we can trust Christ together.  So amongst dance car parties, crazy skiing days, 14 hr drives, laughter, the beautiful mountains... that happened.  God showed up.  He showed me each girls' beautiful heart.  They opened their hearts to one another and to me one on one.  I was on Holy Ground.  I am so thankful for each of them and desire to create more opportunities to have YL leaders and myself meet kids on that level. 

Secondly... back when was a volunteer leader about 7 years ago Sarah was one of my YL girls.
She was the kid at camp that questioned everything, on our one-on-one meeting she said, "If this was a Buddhist camp, you'd want me to be Buddhist.  I'm just not sure about all of this."  I was actually really surprised because I was sure she was ready to make the decision to follow Christ.  I respected where she was at and left it at that.  Well later that year she did decide to follow Christ.  She rocked it and became a leader of her school, attended all YL clubs and campaigners and pressed into Christ.  We became really close and when she graduated she went to Drury and ended up being a volunteer YL leader in Springfield, MO.  She is now married to an amazing man- Chris and they live in Denver.  She found out via Facebook I was in town with YL girls.  She had wanted to make the drive to Winter Park to have dinner with us and be with the girls and I, but a snow storm stopped her.  So she met us for brunch and loved on us and me.

See our text exchange after seeing each other again.

Me:  So good to see you.  It amazes me how God works and how I never dreamed I'd be talking to you about marriage and be at a table as Area Director of YL with my new YL girls.  A full circle.  Makes me smile and thank God for you.  You remind me of why I do this.  :)  Love.

Sarah:  Love you too.  You mean so much to me.  I really mean that.  God brought you into my life at the right time, with the right purpose.  God used you to influence my faith in big ways, and I can hear angels rejoicing that you are back in YL.  So He can use you again and again.  So cool I got to meet your girls.  I'd love to be praying for them, and specifically praying for you.


(Sarah and I at brunch)

God is generous and gracious.  He provides life and opportunity and Holy Ground.  I'm thankful for all these precious moments He provides.  All to Him.  I'm thankful for how YL comes full circle and how YL kids come full circle and leave a legacy.

Love you ski trip girls and Sarah!!!

Melody for the Broken

So in life we get chances to use our talents to bless others, to show our hearts, to share burdens, and stories.  That just happened.  Taylor one of my YL girls wrote a song and played it at club tonight.  She wanted to share her story, who she is, where she is been, and where she is going.  It took my breath away, it made me cry, it inspired me, and showed me her courage and how great God is at shaping hearts.  These are her words on how God will help the broken.  Thank you Taylor!!!

Melody for the Broken
V1:
its okay to be broken
you know im always here to fix you
dont turn away i can feel your pain
together we will put the light
back in your eyes
regaining your sight
taking back your life
are you ready for the fight
its not going to be easy
your dreams the come with a price

chorus:
Its your turn to declare who you are
find your own song and sing it loud
its your turn to find your voice
be who you are and change the world

V2:
where are you going?
there's no light at the end of that tunnel
i will guide you now
just take my hand i understand
its not easy to breathe on your own
youve got to find your tune
your melody

 chorus:
Its your turn to declare who you are
find your own song and sing it loud
its your turn to find your voice
be who you are and change the world

All I Do is Blob!!! Come to Camp!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGaXw_Qg_X4
Sharp Top Cove Baby!!!

July 30-Aug 7th
Best week of your life.