I woke up with LIFE on my mind...

like so many other times in the last few days, I woke up thinking about our trip next week, and especially our group of students. {they are never far from my mind...is that weird?} During my quiet time this morning I spent some time thinking about some of the relationships that our students have with each other, and that was the topic of my prayer time....I looked at my list of individuals and marveled at how awesome each of these kids are.  They are so unique!  Their personalities come flying out on and you don't have to spend too much time with any one of them but that you've got them pegged....and put them in a group together....they are hysterical!  But, sometimes personalities don't mesh easily and there becomes a division of groups among them. 

So, here's my thoughts on this this morning.  I'm praying for unity among these kids.  I'm praying that the LORD would begin a good work of connecting this group as one body.  Not just by appearance, but thoroughly through each heart. Freshman with seniors and girls with guys.  I'm praying that the guys would accept and encourage one another...that they would also have patience with the girls {even IF, dare I say, there may be a little drama throughout the week...it could happen}.  I'm praying that the girls would encourage and embrace each other...that they would appreciate the differences in personality and really love each other with a Christ-like love {AND not get totally annoyed with the crazy ways boys communicate and express themselves...it's going to happen...no doubt in my mind, I live with teenage boys.}  I'm praying that not only will there be an overhaul of individual hearts, but that there will also be an overhaul of the group collectively.  And that by the end of the week, after spending 24 hours together, each individual student will see the others the way God does.

Among these students is great potential.  There are musicians, artists, athletes, scholars, comedians and more...individually they are something else.  I pray that together they would be even more powerful for God.  I believe HE is working out some pretty awesome things for this youth group.  I see it happening and I'm anticipating that the week ahead of us will mesh personalities, cause them to see each other with God's eyes and begin to really unify them as ONE group, instead of several.  I know it can happen...because I believe it is God's heart for them.

As individual believers we can be strong in this world, but put an army of other believers behind us and our strength grows immeasurably.  That's what I want for each of these students...I want them to know that they always have a group that has their back and will walk beside them throughtout these difficult teenage years.  I believe in their ability to be that group...and I'm anticipating that GOD is in the process of working to make that happen even in the coming week. 

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity..."

Colossians 3:14

So, if you wake up with LIFE on your mind...please pray for us.  Pray that each student would come with open hearts and be moldable.  Please pray for the leaders to give wise counsel throughout the week...to give an atmosphere of openness so that the students will free to share and express themselves, if need be.  There's no doubt in my mind that there will be ALOT of laughter and fun throughout the week- we thoroughly enjoy this group- but more than anything, we hope that every single student will arrive home more in love with Jesus and each other than the day they stepped on the bus...

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement

 give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus..."

Romans 15:5

8 days, people!

In 8 days and two hours we will be pulling out of the church driveway with a busload of 23 students, 23 suitcases, 23 carry-ons, and 5 leaders {and probably 5 cups of coffee}. 

 We're excited and ready to go! The students have been looking forward to LIFE for about a year...some of them for three years, since they attended the last LIFE Conference and spent an unforgettable week in Orlando, Fl.  I hear it's just about as hot in Kentucky these days, so for those who missed out on Orlando, you'll possibly get a taste of it when you walk out the hotel doors in KY.  It's funny, I think the leaders are just about as excited for the trip as the students are- I'm not exactly sure how to interpret that...either we are crazy or we really, really love spending time with these kids...or both.  

As an adult I know that it takes preparation to really get the most out of these conferences.  Scores of people have been working behind the scenes at Life Impact Ministries to set this conference into full swing.  And as far as conferences go, my experience has been that the LIFE conferences are done with excellence.  There is a permanent vision in my head of the last LIFE conference...it goes like this:

5,ooo teenagers

a dark arena

worship music

communion

glow sticks

 It was an unforgettable evening...

I'm also aware that it's not enough for all of the people behind the scenes to be preparing and working...all of us who are attending have a responsibility to prepare, too.  We can show up Tuesday afternoon ready to be entertained and taught, and I'm pretty sure that will happen.  But, if we really want to be changed and renewed, then we have a part to play, too.

To the students:

The time is almost here.  I know you're excited to start packing at the end of the week.  I know you can't wait to spend a week w/out your siblings {and dare I mention your parents?}.  I know you've been waiting all year for this trip- some of you have even mentioned to me that you are really looking forward to seeing what God wants to teach you during LIFE.  Some of you are hoping God is going to say something BIG to you that will help you change the direction you are going in.  I hear a desire to follow God...and alot of depending on the speakers and worship leaders to get you to listen to Him.

I couldn't help thinking of all these things this morning as Pastor Carl was teaching on Jonah.  I thought of many of you by name as he was retelling the story of a Prophet who ran away from God's voice.  Hear me clearly when I say this - I'm not saying that your questioning is ANY different than some of the questioning that comes from adults at times.  But, I've recently spoken to many of you who know what it is to be obedient to God, and who spend alot of time running in the other direction from Him.  I don't think it's an intentional running...I really don't...but I do think it's easier to run than it is to stay and take instructions. 

So, why bring this up? 

Here's the deal.  I KNOW you want to do what is right.  I KNOW you are attending LIFE not just because your friends are going and because it's great entertainment.  I KNOW that you are going because you want to be open to God's voice.  And because I know these things, I'm making one request of you this week:

Amidst the busyness of your week- the time spent on your ipods, computers, and with friends- set aside an allotted amount of time with God THIS week.  Ask Him to meet with you this week so that next week you can meet with him as friends....not strangers.  Ask Him to spend time with you as you prepare your hearts to be open to His whisperings.  Ask Him...I dare you!  I promise He will show up, be glad to join you, and will guide you as you ask Him to help you be faithful to Him.  I'm going to do the same this week - and I hope that you'll find it makes a difference in me as it also makes a difference in you.  {You can be assured that your leaders are praying for you all by name...we want nothing more than to see you fall in line with God's plan for your lives and your futures}

Rest up this week a little, too...I'm pretty you'll find you will need it!!!

Have a great week, you guys! 

 See you at the bonfire at the Herr's on Wednesday!

one month shy of a year...

...since I've posted on this blog!  I just looked at the date of the last posting - unbelievable how fast a year has gone by.  Last year at this time, a team of students and leaders were preparing for a two week trip to Gabon, Africa...and again this year, we are planning and preparing for a new trip together.  This one is a little closer to home- a 10 drive by bus instead of almost 24 hrs start to finish by plane.  Our destination - LIFE 2010 Conference.  One of the most amazing opportunities our students have to gather together with other teens of our denomination under one roof.  We're gearing up for a week of some awesome speakers, great times of worship and abundant opportunities to connect within our own student ministries.  Our kids {and, I might add, our five leaders} are excited and ready to begin our road trip and stand poised and ready to be challenged and changed during this week. 

In past LIFE conferences many of our students have gone forward to receive Christ for the first time, recommitted their lives to God and committed to fulltime ministry & missions. This week is all about growing and changing.  Our students will be stretched as they listen to deep speakers, worship in music with thousands of other teens and connect with the rest of the group {four teens to a room, folks, that's real connection!}.  There'll be lots of listening, learning and certainly ALOT of laughing!!!  {Seriously, if you have not taken the time to get to know our students, you are TRULY missing out on alot of laughing!} 

The theme of this year's conference is

 COLLIDE...what happens when your world meets God’s world?   

The LIFE 2010 website describes the conference like this, 

"Imagine thousands of students authentically experiencing God and being inspired to expand His Kingdom. Imagine worshipping and growing closer to Christ. Imagine connecting with new friends, serving together and helping church plants. Imagine tons of seminars and workshops, awesome concerts and incredible experiences. That’s what LIFE is all about."

We're excited to have Francis Chan back with us as our main speaker again this year. 

 Many of us have read his books "Crazy Love" and  "Forgotten God" and know that God is working with him to present some pretty challenging messages to our students.  We'll also have the opportunity to worship with some great musicians - some of which are playing in the background as you read this. 

Check out the LIFE website {click on the link above} and stop one of our students in the hallway - they're REALLY excited for this trip and would be glad to tell you about it!  We'll be blogging here throughout the week of LIFE to update with pictures, stories and prayer requests so stop by often.  PLEASE pray for our students as they prepare for this trip.  Pray that the LORD would grip each heart and transform each one of their lives to mirror HIS.  These are students with GREAT potential to change their worlds, pray that the pressures around them would diminsh so that they will choose to follow hard after Him with a radical faith.

Thank you, parents, for allowing us to accompany your children and love on them as they reshape their lives for Christ...each one of us take our jobs seriously and look forward to seeing what God has in store for each of them.  We do what we do because it is our desire to raise up a new generation of Christians who follow daily after Christ with total self-abandonment.  We're so privileged to be a part of their lives