Simple Passion

Our campers have arrived and we finished up our first night with them.  We ended up with a crew of 17, but with several familiar faces among them which makes the buy-in a little easier on their part (and ours.)  We were especially blessed to have one young man in particular make it to camp this year-a guy by the name of Shadow.

I have known Shadow for a few years now with my interaction being limited to our bus trips out to McNary when we come out on our spring trip.  I posted a picture of the two of us on the rez in April on my Facebook.  When he was dropped off yesterday he was worried that I would not remember him and was thrilled when I gave him a big hug and told him how glad I was to see him.  He is a special young man-a little developmentally challenged, but with a great heart. 

Shadow possesses something that I envy.  He approaches life with a simple passion for living.  He is excited about each thing that we are doing and is ready for the next when it is over.  He makes friends with everyone and is liked by all.  When I was sharing with our campers last night he was nodding earnestly with each statement and soaking up everything that we had to offer.  At the end of the day he collapsed in to his bed and was done for the night.  A simple life of rejoicing in the moments that God puts you in.

I came out here to change and shape lives-to have a godly impact.  It’s always amazing to me how God teaches His lessons in the middle of the work He has called me to do.

 

The Waiting Game

Today is the day that our campers will arrive here in Show Low, Arizona at the American Indian Christian Mission.  We are never sure how many of them will be arriving and who will follow through on their commitment to attending.  It is always interesting to see what mix of personalities, how many Christ followers, number of Navajo vs. Apache youth, and repeat attenders that we will get. 

This is my third year of this camp and each year has been distinctly different.  They each presented their own challenges and I am sure that this year will be the same.  As a guy that doesn’t necessarily like the unknown this is a true test of faith for me.  I have to believe that God has me here with this particular team to do His work.  I have to believe that He has a plan for this week that will surpass my expectations and hopes.  God has already seen the successes and failures of this week and He has prepared this team to be ready to handle them if we will trust in Him. 

All we can do right now is wait.

 

Summer 50 Updated

We have finalized the dates for the completion of the Summer 50 and it is going to be a whirlwind of activity to accomplish!  Below is the entire list with the dates & times that we are hosting them-please note that exact times will be announced as we get closer and that several events are combined into one day.  If the item has already been completed it will be crossed out.  Come join us for a lot of fun!

 

1.      Have a Big Booty tournament
2.      3^rd Place Has Got Talent-August 2nd in The Point-5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
3.      Go bowling in togas-August 5th mid-day-final time TBA
4.      Make hygiene bags for the homeless-August 22nd
5.      Mall photo scavenger hunt-August 9th
6.      Group freeze in public place-August 9th
7.      Dress in superhero costumes w/”Jesus is my superhero” signs-July 21st
8.      Dress as pirates at putt-putt (Pirates’ Cove)-July 15th
9.      Outside movie theater-August 4th   (7:30 p.m.)
10.    Help prepare lunch at the homeless shelter-August 22nd
11.    Go the STAR Center and play with the kids-August 22nd
12.    Beach cleanup
13.    Dodgeball tournament-July 11th 8-10 p.m. @ Ormond YMCA-need a waiver signed by parents
14.    Eat at fast food restaurant in formal wear-August 7th
15.    Collect & hand out school supplies for needy children-August 22nd
16.    Free hugs campaign-July 17th
17.    Make random YouTube videos & show them-July 17th
18.    Progressive fast food dinner-August 7th
19.    Group dance at bandshell-July 17th
20.    Summer Christmas party-August 1st 7:30 p.m. (after element)
21.    $20 challenge-August 16th
22.    Host a hot dog eating contest-August 30th
23.    Sandcastle building contest
24.    Dress as tacky tourists and walk down A1A-July 17th
25.    Hand out water on the beach
26.    Play games at the nursing home with residents-July 5th @ 1:00 p.m.-before Ormond in the Pines
27.    Cook & serve lunch for Tuesday church-August 4th  (10:00 a.m.)
28.    Play kickball @ Nova Rec-July 21st
29.    Help clean up TCC-August 4th (10:00 a.m.)
30.    Celebrity look-alike Karaoke-July 7/8-during Awakening each night
31.    Sidewalk art contest-August 30th
32.    Ice cream social with Amazing Grays-August 4th (after lunch @ Tuesday church)
33.    Manhunt @ TCC-August 4th
34.    Randomly mow someone’s yard-Personal challenge-do this on your own for a neighbor or with friends!
35.    Play ultimate Frisbee on the new property-August 8th
36.    Have a ‘Spoons’ tournament
37.    Have the world’s largest water balloon fight-August 30th
38.    Host a ‘Worst Dancer’ contest-July 7/8-during Awakening each night
39.    Dress in Hawaiian shirts & have a SPAM & pineapple eating contest-August 25/26-during Awakening
40.    World’s Longest Slip & Slide in the church retention pond-August 30th
41.    Dress as twins and go to the movies-July 10th
42.    Go Christmas caroling in summer-August 1st (after element)
43.    Disney Movie Marathon-August 4th
44.    Prayer walk at the new church property-August 8th
45.    Tim Twin Day-August 11/12 during Awakening
46.    Help w/the sandwich ministry for the homeless-July 20th
47.    Pack the church van-July 10th
48.    Body surfing contest
49.    Have a bake contest-August 4th
50.    Go to Belly Buster Monday @ Daytona Cubs

 

The Week That Was

For many people this has been a week of tragedy and sorrow.  It has been interesting to see the public reaction to the deaths of three celebrities-Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.  So many people have commented on their deaths (especially MJ) and I am sure that there are memorials popping up all over the world to commemorate these lives that have passed on. 

We have had our own sorrow here at TCC as one of our church members passed away on Monday.  A week before passing, Doug Marteeny was fine and then suddenly suffered a heart attack.  He leaves behind an incredible wife, loving sons, several grandchildren, hundreds of friends, and a legacy that counts for something beyond this world.  There won’t be millions of people posting about him on the Internet and there won’t be tributes in the news each year on the anniversary of his passing.  I would still say that the impact he has had is of greater significance than any of the three celebrities of this past week.  His passion for telling others of his relationship with Christ and their need for their own story is an inspiration.  His willingness to serve in any capacity and to do so with great joy & a perpetual smile will always serve as an example for the rest of us. 

There is no accurate way to judge how many people he influenced through his testimony, but I am confident in saying that heaven’s celebration at Doug’s arrival matches the greatness of the sorrow of those he has left behind here.  Success in God’s eyes is not marked by best-selling albums, hit TV shows, posters sold, or the number of fans that you have.  A life that directs others to the saving grace of God is the only true successful goal.

 

Be Intentional

It is amazing to me how God continues to work in my own life in spite of my shortcomings.  He provides opportunities for me to be blessed and to be a blessing to others.  He meets my needs in ways that I can’t explain.  He creates divine appointments that allow me to share His love with others.  He continues to bless His youth ministry here at Tomoka and I know that He has an incredible vision for the future as well.

It gives me some comfort to know that God will work in the messiness of my life, but I am also challenged to be more focused in what I do.  Even though God’s plan will not be hindered by me, I often wonder how much more growth could be realized if I was more focused on seeking that plan.  I find myself caught up in the stress and hurry of the task list of the day/week/month that I often leave myself with limited options for pursuing God’s vision.  I feel this growing need to become much more intentional and in the pursuit of God’s vision for my personal, family & ministry life. 

I know that God does not need me to achieve His purposes in those areas, but how much more would He bless if I was actively seeking that gift from Him and creating opportunities for it to happen?

 

Next Step

We are about to start our last day here at CIY Move in Milligan, TN.  It has been a good week studying the book of Exodus and examining the parallels between our spirituality & struggles and those of the Israelites years ago.  I can see the impact of teaching, experiences and alone time in many of the faces of our high school youth here.  I know that God is working to draw us all closer to Him and I can see the results of that. 

One of my biggest prayers (as it always is at an event such as this) is that we are able to carry some of this back home with us.  It’s so easy to find yourself in the middle of this powerful worship experience up here and to sense God’s calling on your life.  If we are to truly gain new ground in our spiritual development however, we must apply these godly principles and experiences to who we are back in the ‘real world.’  I see the incredible potential (overused word, but it works here) in all of these high schoolers.  There is nothing that I can do to make them live it out.  Just as it is with each of us as adults, they must choose to be God’s people.  They will decide the impact on their community and how important the King is in the decisions that they make.  I pray that is bold & incredible. 

We need a revival and these young people will be the ones who lead it.

 

Hosanna

This has been one of my favorite songs for some time & it is truly resonating with many of the youth here at CIY Move.  It is a Spirit-inspired song by Brooke Fraser from Hillsong United.

I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees
We’re on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

 

Seriously Ridiculous

There has been a seriously ridiculous gap in my blog postings here.  This past week of middle school camp was phenomenal, but was definitely one of the busiest that I have ever had.  There was not a lot of down time for the deans this year, but I loved all of the week and had an opportunity to invest in a lot of our young people at the same time.  I could go on about the many great things that happened, but thought it would be best to share in pictures.  Enjoy!

 

The Summer 50!

As summer is just about here, we are ready to announce the list for the Summer 50.  This list contains the 50 things that we are going to do together this summer as a youth ministry.  Some of them are ridiculously goofy & fun and others are ways that we can help people in our area.  We announced the list at Awakening the past two nights, but I wanted to post them here for those that were unable to make it.  We will post which items we are doing on different days this summer and will have the info up on our website (www.choose3rd.com) soon as well. 

1.      Have a Big Booty tournament
2.      3^rd Place Has Got Talent
3.      Go bowling in togas
4.      Make hygiene bags for the homeless
5.      Mall photo scavenger hunt
6.      Group freeze in public place
7.      Dress in superhero costumes w/”Jesus is my superhero” signs
8.      Dress as pirates at putt-putt (Pirates’ Cove)
9.      Outside movie theater
10.    Help prepare lunch at the homeless shelter
11.    Go the STAR Center and play with the kids
12.    Beach cleanup
13.    Dodgeball tournament
14.    Eat at fast food restaurant in formal wear
15.    Collect & hand out school supplies for needy children
16.    Free hugs campaign
17.    Make random YouTube videos & show them
18.    Progressive fast food dinner
19.    Group dance at bandshell
20.    Summer Christmas party
21.    $20 challenge
22.    Host a hot dog eating contest
23.    Sandcastle building contest
24.    Dress as tacky tourists and walk down A1A
25.    Hand out water on the beach
26.    Play games at the nursing home with residents
27.    Cook & serve lunch for Tuesday church
28.    Play kickball @ Nova Rec
29.    Help clean up TCC
30.    Celebrity look-alike Karaoke
31.    Sidewalk art contest
32.    Ice cream social with Amazing Grays
33.    Manhunt @ TCC
34.    Randomly mow someone’s yard
35.    Play ultimate Frisbee on the new property
36.    Have a ‘Spoons’ tournament
37.    Have the world’s largest water balloon fight
38.    Host a ‘Worst Dancer’ contest
39.    Dress in Hawaiian shirts & have a SPAM & pineapple eating contest
40.    World’s Longest Slip & Slide in the church retention pond
41.    Dress as twins and go to the movies
42.    Go Christmas caroling in summer
43.    Disney Movie Marathon
44.    Prayer walk at the new church property
45.    Tim Twin Day
46.    Help w/the sandwich ministry for the homeless
47.    Pack the church van
48.    Body surfing contest
49.    Have a bake contest
50.    Go to Belly Buster Monday @ Daytona Cubs

 

Have Some Fruit

I think that one of the most frustrating things for me as a Christ-follower is the lack of self-control in my life.  I’m sure that I am not alone in this struggle–in fact, I can almost guarantee it.  It is a continual battle and it spills over into all parts of my life–my health, finances, my words & attitude, as well as my spiritual discipline.  I get irritated with myself because I make these declarations about what I am going to do/not going to do and then I fall short. 

I know that it is not really about the individual behaviors, but is instead about my willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to be my guide and to have a greater influence on me.  Galatians tells us that there are things that are the fruit of the Spirit-things that should be happening in our lives as we experience this great relationship with God and the interaction of our spirit with His.  Self-control is the last one listed there-I’m not sure of the significance of putting it last-maybe because it’s one of the most difficult to achieve.  Like everything else in our spiritual lives it comes down to a gradual process of turning over control to God.  In fact, I would say that it is less about self-control and more about ceding control to the Holy Spirit within us.