"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" ~Isaiah 6:8 NIV
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" ~Micah 6:8 NASB
1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Throughout my years of middle school ministry, I have received many notes of encouragement from students and my fellow leaders. I can not begin to say how much those mean to me. I still have many of the notes on display around the house and in my Bible. I am going to take them with me and keep them close as we continue to make plans to move. One of the hardest parts of the thought of moving is knowing how many close friends I'm going to leave behind. This is my way to bring you with me. I hope that I continue to live up to the words they wrote.
Here are just a few:
"I loved leading with you this year. You are a great person." - Naomi
"I love your heart for kids. You shine...my friend...you shine." - Judy
"You always are so happy. Thank you for encouraging others and my children." - Laura
"I love your positive attitude & the joy that you carry with you always. Love ya sis." - Judy
"You have a heart for God and it's been a joy watching you on your walk with Christ." - Jason
"You have a great memory for names. Good way to love our kids." - Adam
"How faithful & awesome you are. You have been a part of Oasis longer than I have. How special you make our events." - Chris
"You rock, my friend. I have known ya for...well a long time and you have always have the same sweet smile & friendly lovable personality." - Loretta
"You are awesome leader. You have taught me so much." - Dianna
"It's great being a leader with you. You have so much insight. Thanks for all your wisdom." - Carole
"Your dedication to Oasis is so appreciated." - Wendy
"Hey gurl, I love you & you are a great girl. I hope you will always be here & I can count on you. Love you tons." - Jeanette
A father and his, one and only, son love each other very much. The two are nearly inseparable. One day, the son asks his father if he can join him at the bridge. The bridge is where his father works as an operator - raising a drawbridge when a boat must pass and lowering it when the train arrives. On the one day that his son joins his father at work, a train arrives early and the bridge is up. His son tries to alert his father the train is coming, but his father cannot hear him. So, the boy rushes to the base of the bridge to throw the switch manually, enabling the drawbridge to drop and let the train safely pass. But, as he tries, he falls into the drawbridge wheel and pulley mechanism. At that moment, from the tower, his father sees his son fall and the train coming toward the bridge at full steam. He has only a moment to decide. He must do one of two things .
a. Save his son and let the train wreck with hundreds of passengers on board (who will surely die when it plunges hundreds of feet into the icy waters below). OR b. Save the train by pulling the lever at the tower that will lower the bridge, but will cause his son to be crushed.
1. You're the father, what would you do if those were your only two options? My girls thought the knew the "right" answer. I had to convince them that was no "right" answer. I try to get them to think outside the christian box. The "right" answer would be to save the people on the train and let your son die because that would segway nicely into the crucifiction comparison. I brought it in a little different direction. I asked my girls to ponder what they would really do.I don't have kids yet so i can't know for sure what I would do, but I so have friends that have kids. If it was my best friend's daugher, Kariana or one of my friend Chrissy's kids I dont think i would even hesitate. I have known these kids since they were born. They aren't my children but I would risk my life for these kids. Would watching Kariana die be worth saving 100 people that i don't know...I don't think it would be. I know if I would be willing to save someone else's child that I would definetly save my own.When God looked down at his son dieing for all of us he could have stopped it but he didn't. God had all the power in the world to stop the crucifiction but he loved us so much that he let his son die. Aren't you glad that God isn't like us. Knowing that I couldnt watch my child die makes what God did so much more special. I can't even imagine how hard it must of have been for God to watch his son die. I had my girls read John 3:16 and think about what that really meant. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son so that who ever believed in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
2. What if you were the son? How would you feel? Would you understand what your father was doing or would you be thinking about self-preservation? Even Jesus asked God to change his mind about what was going to happen to him, but he was willing to do God's will. He understood why he had to die.
This story is heart-breaking to me. These girls have totally lost their innocence and not even their parents are standing up for them. It seems like parents have just given up. Parents today just assume their girls are going to be having sex, so instead of teaching their daughters to respect themselves and wait, they just stand back and watch. Then these parents always seem so surprised when their teenager tells them their pregnant or has an STD. Then the parents steps in and decides to be parent again. Where was that parent BEFORE she throw her life away?
I have been doing middle school ministry for almost a decade and I have seen girls give themselves away so many times. Girls, you are so worth the wait. Any guy that tells you different is not worth the ground he is standing on.
There is absolutely no love in pre-maritial sex, girls. Pre-maritial sex is all about lust and relationships based on lust never last. Really true love is based on so much more. Don't let yourself fall into the trap of believing that you have to have sex to be popular. It's just not true.
There are ways to protect yourself:
* Avoid tempting situations: Double date, don't go into your bedroom with a boy, always tell people where you are, etc
* Decide in advance: Choose your values in advance so when tempation comes you have them to fall back on
* Find an Accountabilty Partner: An accountability partner is someone who is going to watch out for you. An accountability partner is one of the most important things you can invest in. Find a friend or family member that you can trust. Pick a time and location to meet with them every week or more often if you want, and discuss what is going on in your life. What have your struggles been this week? What have your success been? Where have to you trimphed? Where have you failed? Honesty and trust are key because you can't be afraid to tell the whole truth to your accountability partner.
What Every Teenager Needs to Know:
They are not alone on this journey of life. Sometimes tough things happen but everything happens for a reason. I am convinced that the Middle School years are the toughest. In some situations they are expected to still act like children, because they are. But in other situation, people expect them to act like adults, so when they encounter a new situation they either act out or withdraw because they feel lost and confused. And to add on top of that they are experiencing hormones and feelings they don't understand and that can be painful. They search for whatever they can find to take the pain away and most of the time those solutions are only temporary, so they try the "drug" again. So the next thing you know, you have a middle school student addicted drugs, alcohol, sex, or whatever they chose for their "drug". As an Oasis leader, I try to give my girls a permanent solution to the pain and that is Jesus. Jesus's love is never temporary.
Parents WAKE UP!!! Sex is every where. Teenagers are being bombared with it from music, TV, and other media and seldom do they show the negative consequences. Girl are sexualized in music and treated like sex objects. What is that teaching our girls or our guys? When was the last time you saw someone on Gossip Girl get an STD or come home pregnant and heart-broken because now the guy wants nothing to do with her or her baby? Even in Juno the movie, the 16 year old gets pregnant and there was no negative consequence. She just moved on like it never happened. In Friends, Rachel gets pregnant and somehow is able to afford a baby and her huge New York city apartment with a job at small coffee shop job working part-time. You never see her struggling with money, trying to get food stamps or welfare, or trying to find a babysitter. Somehow everything just always seems so perfect. That is not reality and our girls are being handed a pack of lies. Our men are too. They being taught if they aren't having sex, they aren't cool. Guys need to hear this too. There is nothing "cool" about it. Just think, someday you might be a father. Would you want someone to be thinking about your daughter they way you are thinking about your girlfriend. I doubt it. She deserves respect and so do you.
The most important thing you can teach your daughter is self-respect and confidence. Fathers, I think, are the most important person in a daughters life. Daughters without fathers in their lives are far more likely to get into destrucive behavior. The girls are looking for love and they think love=sex, so the first guy that comes along and says sweet things to them...they are hooked. The first guy a daughter hears "I love you" from should be her father.
"What are five things I want my kids to know before they grow up?"
A few people in my circle of influence have started a "tag game", I guess. They answering the above question. My pal Corey Mann put his in songs, which doesn't surprise me since he loves music so much. I thought it would be fun to answer the question with my own songs. Even though I don't have kids, I am thinking back on all the things I have learned in my years of middle school ministry. I realized the other day that I have been doing ministry long enough that I have former 6th graders in their 2nd year of college. Yikes. I sometimes think back and wonder if I made any kind of difference in their lives. I hope so.
I thought of more than just 5, but oh well. It's my blog I get to make the rules, right? :0)
1. Wait For Me by Rebecca St. James 2. Someone Like You by Jamie Slocum 3. We by Joy Williams 4. Mirror by Barlowgirl 5. American Dream by Casting Crowns 7. The Last to Be Chosen by Ray Boltz 8. Small Enough by Nichole Nordeman 9. Bless the Broken Road by Rascall Flatts 10. I'm With You By Avril Lavigne 11. If We are the Body By Casting Crowns 12. Tommorrow by Annie 13. Revolutionary Love by David Crowder Band 14. Her by Everyday Sunday 15. Sometimes He Calms the Storm by Scott Krippayne
Most importantly every child needs to know they matter to God and that they matter to you!
Oasis was a bit hectic tonight. I had to kick out my first student tonight. In 8 years, I have never had to kick out one of my students. It was pretty heartbreaking. I know I shouldn't feel like I failed because I did all I could, but I can't help it. Did I miss something? Was there something she wanted to talk to me about that I missed? Where is her anger coming from?
I only had 2 students in my group tonight. After the one went home, I talked to the other student about what happened. I assured her that I had no ill feelings for the students. I just had to enforce the Oasis rule about respecting the leaders. At Oasis, we take dispecting leaders very seriously.
I am really proud of the remaining students. She is an incredible student and I hope she realizes that she has control over her future. "Show me your friends and I will show you you future" - Judy Gregory
I threw the Eagles Nest guide out tonight (sorry Johnny) and we just talked about life. The remaining student prayed us out an the end of the night. I hope she knows how much I wished tonight would have been different.
I have been thinking and processing my role in Oasis this year for a few weeks now. I want to take my students deeper than I did last year. Last year I got to my know my girls and they got to know eachother. This year, I want to draw them in to who Jesus really is. No more surface relationships. No more casual Christianity.
Last week Corey knocked it out of the park. He said, "The abilities we are given are gifts from God, but we do with those gifts are our gift back to him." How many times have I seen an opportunity to serve and not done it because I was afraid of what people would think? How many times have I seen someone hurting or in need and just walked by?
Apartment hunting is alot of work. Steve and I are trying to find a another apartment or house to rent. Autumn Lakes is just too expensive. It was fine when i was living with my sister because I only had to pay half of the rent but now the whole amount is coming out of just mine and Steve's budget so it's harder. We are trying to find something before the end of the month so we dont have to pay for another month at Autumn Lakes. Our budget will be very happy when we move.
It feels like life is flying by really fast lately. I'm hoping that life slows time soon. I just need time to relax. Our current apartment is almost all organized. Steve is still moving in some of his stuff. Some of the bigger things he is going to leave where they are until we move again. It's been an adventure.
Oasis went to Cedar Point. I hope they had a good trip. It is beautiful here. I hope it's nice in Ohio too.
No that is not a typo above, we really had more than 1000 people at Oasis last night. It was an amazing night. I got there at about 5:30 and ran back to the cafe. They was already a huge line formed since they cafe actually opened at 4:30. Carole and Wendy were working hard so I jumped in to help. We had a non-stop line of students until about 6:40 when the students went outside for the annual graduation picture.
Judy gave a great message last night. She encouraged the students to take leaps of faith. What is the next leap of faith you are going to take? She talked to students about the 3 big leaps of faith she has taken starting with when she gave her life to Christ, then when she came on staff at Granger. The last leap of she is taking is joining Jeanne Mayo in Atlanta. She told the students last night what she told all the leaders on Tuesday night. She is leaving Granger to join her mentor and hero, Jeanne Mayo, in Atlanta. There was an extreme quiet in the room last night when told everyone.
I'm excited for her. I hate to see her go but it sounds like this is something that she will really enjoy doing. Jeanne Mayo has been her hero and mentor for a few years now. A few weeks ago Jeanne asked Judy if she would be willing to join her in the mentorship of other youth pastors, helping lead the Mastors Commission, and doing some things with Jeanne in Atlanta. She is going to leave a huge hole in the leadership team at Granger, but i am more than confident that Judy has raised up some amazing leaders that will keep this ministry going.
The graduation was a success. After we cleaned up the cafe a bunch of leaders and a few students went to Steak N Shake for some relaxing and hang out time. I didn't leave until almost midnight. I should have left earlier but I didnt. I'm so tired today. I need to take a big nap later.
Wow! What a year it has been? This year seemed to be a little over shadowed by my engagement and marriage but Oasis is still a huge part of my life. One of my greatest desires in my life is to be a positive role for my students. My group has changed a bit throughout the year. A few students have moved away or stopped coming and some have joined us new within the year, but there have been a few faithful that have been there every Wednesday, or really close to it, the whole year. These girls are special and I want them to succeed to life.
Steve and I started doing a devotional on wisdom after we got married. We read a proverb every day and a little note about what we read. Today's reading got me thinking about my students. We read proverbs 2. Proverbs 2:9-10 says "You will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy." Our quote of the day is: Training in wisdom is life preparation.
God is the ultimate teacher and he wants us to learn as much as we can in our lives. Good teachers and leaders know that someday their students will leave the nest and fly on their own. Our goal is to teach them as best we can so when they get out on their own they will be able to survive on their own. My desire for my students is that they look back on the last year and see it as a year of growth. I hope they made at least one new friend, they learned valuable wisdom, and most of all they took a step towards Jesus. Do they know Jesus a little more personally did they did a year ago? I wish I could have some assurance that they will make the right choices, but God gave us freewill so they will make their choices. This world is getting tough to be a Christian in, but with the wisdom they have learned this year I believe they will overcome.
As I reflect on the last year, I pray for my girls that they remain strong and avoid the temptations that are so ready to attack them. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl that lives with integrity. As Graduation comes close, I want them to know that they can count on my even in the years to come. I don't stop being there leader on Graduation day. I am their leader for the rest of their life if they need me.
It has been a month since I posted anything on here. I guess I've been a little busy. Ill try to catch everyone up with pictures. On Sunday, April 29th, I opened my apartment to my 180 small group for a small "wedding reception" since they werent going to be at the actual reception. I hope they had a good time.
I have been attending Granger Community Church since April 1997. I was a sophomore in high school. It was a tough year in my world. I have been a Christian my whole life but I still felt there was something missing in my life. I had no real purpose in life and felt like if I disapearred no one would really care or come looking for me. A few of my friends invited me to a concert at Lifeline (our high school ministry) and I immediately knew there was something different about the people there. There was a sense of community that I had never felt before. I was surprised at how many people I already knew that were there. That was 10 years ago. I have grown and changed alot since that first night. I can't even begin to thank everything that helped bring me to where I am today. I want to focus my attention on just one: My mentor and hero, Judy Gregory. She reached 10 years on staff of GCC this week, with several more before that. She is the Middle School pastor at GCC. I have been doing ministry along aside her, either as a student or a leader for almost 10 years and I would not change a thing. This year marks my 7th school year as a middle school leader and I was a Lifeline student for 2 1/2. Together, we've done seven mission trips, 8 Acquire the Fires, seven 30 Hour Famines, 5 New Years Eve Bashes, and so much more, either as a student or a leader.
Her love and committment to her students inspire me to a better leader. She is the ultimate encourager. Whenever I am feeling down and feel like I'm not really making a difference with my students, I can count on her to encourage me. Ministry is who she is. I can't imagine anyone else doing her job. She builds her life into her leaders, training them to be everything God wants them to be. She searches and finds the talent in you that you didnt know you had. I am a better leader today because of her leadership. I feel honored that she is going marry me and my fiance in two weeks. I look forward to 10 more years of ministry, even if I have to do them from afar.
Helping Middle School Students Take Their Next Step Towards Christ...Together!
I was sick this week from Sunday to Thursday morning. I dont think the stress of having to drive in tons of snow Wednesday helped much. I'm so glad that is gone. I have been trying to catch up on my sleep and get less stressed. Nurse Wendy told me I'm not allowed to be sick at my wedding. She is so awesome. I am so glad she is my co-leader this year.
This Wednesday was Steve's birthday but we celebrated it on Tuesday because I have Oasis on Wednesday. I felt horrible all day at work on Wednesday so I decided that I wouldnt make it through Oasis. I believe this is the first Oasis I have missed during the school year since I began doing Oasis in the fall of 2000. I haven't seen my girls in 2 weeks since last week was Spring break. I miss them tons. I hope they had a great night.
Here are this weeks questions: 1. What are some words that you would use to describe Jesus? How is He like you and not like you?
2. Have a student look up and read Galatians 5:22-23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Did you use any of the words in this passage to described yourself? Did you use any of these words to describe Jesus?
3. If you had to pick the one you're the strongest in of the nine (love, joy, peace.), which would you choose? If you had to pick the one you're weakest at out of the nine, which one would it be? Why?
4. These are words that will describe us as we become more and more like Christ. But, let's just say that they don't very well right now. What could someone do to get better in one or all of these areas?
5. Have a student look up and read Romans 12:2:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
One way we can get better is by renewing our minds. What do you think that means and how would you do that? What do you see in this world that Paul is warning us not to do or be like?
6. What is one thing mentioned that you could do to renew your mind that you could practice at school tomorrow?
How do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? I know that seems like a really long time from now but you are starting your foundation now. Things you are doing now can and will effect your life in the future, either for the good or not. You have a choice to decide today what you stand for. What will define your life?
The Gift series is over. I know I have said it before but I'm so proud of this students. They were went over and above to help the children at the YWCA and the animals at the Humane Society. We didnt have Eagles Nest time this week which made a few of my girls a little sad but we made it through. We had a celebration for the projects instead. Judy showed videos of what each group did and talked about each group. All of the students did a really great job on all the projects. Some Eagles Nests split up into a guys group and a girls group but we kept ours all together since we don't have many guys.
GCC is entering a new phase with this new building project. This is the first project that had the students directly involved in it and i think it went great. Hopefully, my students learned a little about what it means to serve and give of yourself. Ask yourself...How do you want to me remembered? I want to be remembered as someone who spent her life serving other people. I can't wait to see what lies around the corner. What new adventures are in store for me and my girls, and guys too of course.
My students never cease to amaze me. I am so proud of them. They really took ownership of this project. They took their time (about 3 weeks), their talent, and their resources to really bless the children of the YWCA. Oasis supplied $120 and they could do whatever they wanted with it. They decided to make some pillows and gift bags for the children staying at the YWCA and to donate some toys, blankets, etc to the animal shelter.
Here are some pictures of them in action. We are delivering the items to the YWCA this afternoon so I'll put up those pictures too.
Give your life with an attitude of generosity. It feels really good to help other people but it also blesses God's heart.
Matthew 25:40 (New International Version) "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
I am so exited about this current series at Oasis. We are a series called "The Gift". We are encourging the students to look beyond the walls of GCC and do something for somebody else. I am so proud of my students. They have come up with some really great ideas. We kicked off the projects last night. I can't wait to see what they come up with next week.
