Eyes Tightly Open
Last night our church observed a day of prayer for missions in remembrance of the Pentecost. Judith (our missions coordinator) led the program and showed a well-done IMB video on the fascinating Sayang people of the Pacific Rim. Afterwards, we went to the track next door to prayer walk for this virtually unreached people group.
I took the kids over with me and gave each of them a bullet point on the prayer guide to concentrate on. I noticed Number One (he's 13) looked a little perplexed but then he looks like that often. I've told you about him before, but the best way to describe him is wonderfully, naively, innocent. The kid has amazing book smarts - but the street smarts? Notsomuch.
After I'd told the kids what to pray, One looked at me and said, "Momma, can I just pray with my eyes open so I won't run in to anything?"
Just when I thought I couldn't love that precious boy more...
Old School Sunday School
It's no secret that the face of the post-modern church is changing. One of the trends I've read more and more about is the restructuring of Sunday morning bible study or the removing of it altogether in favor of small groups that meet at alternate times. Now, on this I have no word from the Lord, but I've got to give a shout out today to traditional church. To perfectly calculated roll books and offering envelopes. To SBC Literature and a basket of pencils in the center of the table. Call me irrelevant, but I love me some Old School Sunday School. Were it not for our age-graded classes, I wouldn't have the opportunity to do life with a group of people whose paths would typically not cross mine.
A couple of years ago, Luke and I encouraged some friends, Clay and Tammy, to consider teaching the College/Career class with the offer of my joining them as moral support until they were comfortable. They got comfortable quickly and apparently so did I since I never left. There's just something that speaks to me about experiencing life with 18-year olds to 20-somethings who are always on the brink of some huge Number Next. They are choosing careers, getting married, praying their way through term papers and state boards, and serving the military just to name a few. I'm pretty convinced there may even be some future ministers among us. Each one is making plans, but whether they realize it or not, God is taking the steps. (Prov. 16:1)
Perhaps what I love the most is being in a class where I'm the old one and have been in most of the places these are just now going. Of being able to laugh hysterically over spats of young marriage and relating 150%. Of being able to promise that if Luke McKay and I can make it twenty years, then anyone can. Of admiring fresh tattoos and gently (or sometimes not so gently, right B?:) reminding the one who continues to get them how distorted they'll appear when he is a senior citizen. Of celebrating when the mile is swam in the combat boots, the test is passed, the semester is over, the degree is finally in hand, and the job is landed. Of witnessing when the Lord has already or is in the process of answering the prayer. Of watching two people I love so much grow in ministry by seizing an opportunity that scared them to death and bonding with a hard-to-reach, transient age group.
I don't know why I waxed all sentimental today, but I just want you guys to know how much I love starting every Lord's Day with you - even if I do drag in a few minutes late and make you endure the fizzy, crunchy sacrifice of my drink (Diet Dr. P) and grain offering (Granola Bar). I won't try to make a list because I'll inevitably leave someone out, but you know who you are....
See you next Sunday. Or I'd better anyway. :)
In Need of True Love Waits Advice
Hey Girls!
I'm terribly excited that beginning this Sunday, I'll be working alongside a wonderful team of women teaching a True Love Waits class to our teen girls at church. I've read plenty of Scripture and several great books on the topic of purity but now I'm in need of some practical advice since I've not done this type of small group before.
Luke and I have talked to several other pastor/ministry friends who've started us in a great direction, but I would negligent if I didn't ask all you girls because I KNOW there's a gang of you out there who have done this thing many times over. I'm all about pursuing things with excellence so, NO, I'm not ashamed to be asking for help!
I guess what I'm looking for here is how to best approach the one-on-one aspect of reaching the girls. Did you do small breakout groups? (We have about 20 enrolled - mostly 7th - 10th grade) Did you find that the girls overshare? Did you find that LEADERS are tempted to overshare? Are there certain activities they enjoy more so than others? Discussion starters they are more likely to respond to? Give me the nitty gritty! I want to know what to be alert to so I can best prepare and also help the team of women who will be working together on this.
Okay, I've got to run out the door. A new baby cousin has arrived and I've got to go kiss his sweet face! I hope to have a ton of email from you when I get back! :)))
Before It's No Longer Relevant...
So I mentioned Luke and I were accompanying our youth directors to Gatlinburg to 'chaperon' the trip. Luke slept in a room with three teenage boys. I slept in a room with Tammy and Michealle (two other grown women) along with mine and Tammy's daughters, ages 6 and 9. We totally got the best end of that deal. It seems there is no happy medium in teenage boys and hygiene. They either have furry teeth and refuse to shower or reek of Axe body spray. Luke has been on an IV drip of Allegra since we've been home.
I can not even tell you how hard I prayed for these kids before we went up. I so much want to see the Spirit reign down and for them to start an outright revolution in our church and school. Our prayers were answered because SIX of them were born again at the conference. Let me be clear that I don't mean they had an emotional 'experience'. I believe with all my heart they fell under the unrelenting conviction of the Holy Spirit and that their lives will never be the same.
What's more, since we've been home another of our girls prayed for salvation Sunday night and then after the service another came to request baptism. My mascara has been a wreck for days. Here's to many more of looking like an emotionally overwrought raccoon! I'm so proud of each of them and the stand they've taken. Please join me in praying that God will protect their resolve and put an unquenchable thirst for relationship within them!
Now obviously that was the highlight of the trip but there were many more. In list format:
1. I finally got to meet darlin' Tammy Nolan!
We've been online friends for some time and I was so excited when I learned we would be in the same place at the same time. Her hubby, Tony, was the evangelist who led our kids to the Lord and I have to tell y'all, the man can bring the Word. I've been to many youth events and sadly enough, many of the speakers never even cracked a Bible. Tony preached the roof in on our heads and I SO appreciated that he was not afraid to proclaim the truth with great boldness.
He was also gracious enough to step out and encourage our kids after their decisions that night. The kids were a little shell-shocked and then later couldn't stop talking about how cool it was they got to meet him. Thanks again, Tony and Tammy, for being so humble and willing to reach out to us! (
2. Third Day played the New Year's concert.
Do I have to say another word? My only disappointment was that they didn't play Born Again. I tried to yell out my request but Mac must not have heard me. That's the only explanation I can think of as to why he wouldn't perform the set list of a thirty-something dork in a youth conference.
3. New Song sang Arise My Love.
Y'all. By far the most powerfully, beautifully, exquisitely executed performance of a Jesus song I've ever heard. Next is Travis Cottrell's 'In Christ Alone' but since he wasn't there, I gotta spread the NewSong love. That performance should be the sound track to Jesus' return. {Oh I know the angels will sound better but short of that, NewSong wins.}
4. Rebecca Barlow's (of Barlow Girl's) Hair. (She's in the middle)
Another breath-stopping moment. That girl's hair was perfection. (They were all awesome but I'm partial to styles that might actually work on my head.) Karri (not pictured here)was sweet enough to ask her for styling tips on my behalf from the autograph line. I'm told a 1" barrel curling iron does the trick. I'm so buying one.
And shopping for a rock star vest that makes me appear to have a waist.
And taking guitar lessons.
I miss being cool.
Wait. I never was that cool. *sigh*
5. Speaking of not being cool..
I saw Johnny Hunt {Pres. of SBC, Pastor of First Baptist Woodstock} practically alone at his table and since I esteem him highly, I thought I'd go over to say 'hi'. (I was secretly hoping his wife was around so I could meet the First Lady of my denomination.) Being in the presence of such greatness, an unbelievable nervousness came over me and I babbled something like 'it's such an honor blah blah is your wife around blah so glad you're our president..blah blah.' All while secretly seething, "LisayouaresuchastupidheadjustshutupNOWjustgobacktoyourseatthisinstantandquittryingtotalktopeople whohavenoclueinthisworldwhoyouareyoustupidstupidhead." What a bafoon. Truly. I should have stayed in my paygrade and asked him what kind of gel he used.
Now that I've reminded myself of my humiliation, I think I'll go slink to my room and read some affirming scripture. Totally different post, but do we ever get over these juvenile feelings of acceptance/rejection? Let's think about that another day..:)
TTYL!
{Don't forget to sign up for the Spectacular Sin Book Club if you plan on playing along.}
On the Road Again...
Just when it seemed we had a few moments at home, it's time to pack up and head out! We are joining our youth leaders and 20+ teenagers for the Winter Xtreme Conference in Gatlinburg. Would you think I'm crazy if I tell you I'm so excited about going? Aside from all the great sessions, I am hoping to get to meet up with Tammy whose hubby Tony is one of the speakers. We've been blogging pals for quite some time and I keep missing her when they are traveling in our area. Not this time!! I'm stalking you girlfriend and I am going to hug your darlin' neck if it kills me!
Most importantly, I'm praying our kids get themselves an enormous dose of Jesus over the next few days and that they come back supernaturally empowered to walk that increasingly elusive narrow path. I am especially burdened for young girls in general and all they face in our culture. Please pray for the women who are going as chaperones on this trip that we will have a timely word for our girls as we seek to help them internalize the Word brought by the Bible teachers. (Oh yes, pray that for our men and boys, too!) I am sensing a bustin' loose in my prayer times for this event. So be it!
So I'm off to do more laundry than is humanly possible with one washer and dryer. However, I just got me a word that I should go at it like Zerubabbel. “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”
Contemporary Translation: "What are you, O mound of dirty clothes? Before me and my bottle of Tide, you shall be flattened! And I will close the empty baskets with shouts of 'Wahooo!'"
{Stupid, I know...I'm still allowed, aren't I?}
See you after the New Year!
Pardon Me While I Freak
Do you ever have times when you look at the next couple of days on your calendar and have a panic attack over all the stuff that somehow has to be accomplished at your hand?
* We begin Bible Release Time tomorrow. This is the program our church hosts which allows children from Grades 2-6 to attend Bible Classes one day per week. I teach those classes and tomorrow is the kick off. I'm typing this post as I wait for the copier to print worksheets for the kids.
* We have AWANA kick-off tonight. I just finished printing registration sheets in anticipation for a bigger than ever club year. Praying we have plenty of food. Not looking forward to cooking 160 weenies. Blech.
* The Girl is having a sleep over Friday night for her birthday. You may find it amusing that I've planned to do an at home version of a Libby Lou party for her friends. We pulled out all of Girl's makeup today to see what kind of supplies we had and somehow I've ended up with glitter all over my face. Didn't know it until I got to church so I'm wondering what our darlin' church people will think their PW has been up to on the side.
I thought typing it all out would help with the hyperventilating that is going on over here.
It didn't work.
I'm taking Donna's advice and resorting to some prayer. Amazing how that can be the last thing we think of when it should have been first, huh?
*Breathing deeply*
