Some thoughts on summer camp.

15 Days and counting.

That's when "EXALT" begins--this year's Teen Mania Extreme Camp. I am going to be a counselor this year. First time ever. I have never been to any Christian summer camp as anything other than a camper, but I'm looking forward to how God will use me in the lives of those I am going to be over for that week.

The Christian summer camps I have frequented in the past have played a pivotal role in inspiring me to seek hard after the Lord. Whether it was the one I attended in elementary school where we played a lot of games and had good times of praise and worship and great speakers and I was able to just be in the presence of the Lord or whether it was a discipleship camp I went to in JH and HS where we had a lot more real Bible study and discussion, I recognize all of it now as times the Lord definitely used to draw me to Himself.

Many teens will go to camp and get the "spiritual high" and then wonder what happened a few weeks later when they don't feel like reading their Bible anymore. I remember this. It was extremely frustrating. BUT I also remember that the more I did study the Word (even in those times right after camp) it drew me into the heart of God and I began to get addicted. I had to keep going back to Him. Again and again. And even when I didn't "feel" like it anymore, I knew I had touched something so much deeper and greater than myself. There was no option but to keep pressing on.

So if you're a youth pastor out there I'd really encourage you to challenge your kids to stick with spending time with the Lord everyday...with the promise that if they seek Him, He will be found by them! (1 Chron. 28:9)

And just for props, EXTREME CAMPS-Exalt 2008 is a really great camp in Garden Valley, Texas. with Teen Mania. Lots of great discipleship, speakers, bands and games...Check out their website http://www.extremecamps.org/

Youth Ministry...in or out of the box?

So I am not going to lie...(cause well, that's a sin. =) I'm not a youth pastor. BUT I do work at a youth ministry and even working as a student leader in my high school youth ministry I've realized a few basic things.

Youth Ministry can either be in the box.... The box of ordinary. The box of typical. The box of "normal." The box of what is expected. The box that it's always been in... OR Youth Ministry can be outside of the box. It can be Spirit led instead of man led. It can be full of power instead of complacent. It can be moving forward instead of standing still.

No matter how radical we are, we can still tend to put ourselves, ministry, and even GOD in a box...we begin to think that "this is the way" when in all reality God is wanting to come and do a completely NEW thing.

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"-Is. 43:19

Let the new thing, come, Lord! And allow US to perceive it!

When you think of youth ministry as being out of the box...what do you see?

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

I want to be like John.
I want to be like a lot of people, really.
But John more as of late.

The one who put his head against Jesus’ chest…
and who is the same one who
fell down on HIS FACE when He saw Jesus in His glory.

The fear of the Lord.
AND the knowledge of God.
[Prov. 2:5]

He dwells with us.
AND brings judgment.…
bringing holiness to completion.
[2 Cor. 6]

The Lion.
AND the Lamb.

To know this One who seems so contradictory.
But He is not.
When He acts…ALL OF HIM ACTS.

“To fear God and not be afraid of Him…THIS is the paradox of faith.”-A.W. Tozer

Anyway, those are just some thoughts today. I only have 1 short meeting this evening and I am FREE..for the ENTIRE WEEKEND! Crazy. First time in a long time. I think I’ll spend a whole lot of time in the Word and in prayer, take some naps in the lobby of my dorm and spend lots of chill time with the girls I love in my core. (I’ll explain more about myself later. =)