Stepping Into The Unknown

Tonight I spoke during our Church Group Devotion time here at MFUGE. The lesson was on God always being there for us and how He promises us that. I used the illustration of keys. I brought one of my Focus Group guys, Trey Briggs, up to do the illustration. I told him. "I Promise You These Keys Will Always Be Here."

I held the keys in front of him and asked him. "Where are the keys?" "In front of me." He answered. "How do you know?" I asked. "Because I can see them right there."

I then blindfolded Trey and asked the same set of question except this time I started to jingle the keys. "Where are the keys?" "In front of me." He answered. "How do you know?" I asked. "Because I can hear them."

I then stopped jingling the keys and became very quiet asking again "Where are the keys?" "In front of me." He answered. "How do you know?" I asked. "Because you promised me they would be."

You know our relationship with God is like that. When we're here at camp surround by other believers it seems that it's easier to see and hear God's direction. When we go home sometimes it's like we're blindfolded and we can sort of hear God's voice but, it's not as easy to see Him. Then there are moments when everything is still and quiet. It's in those moments we're tempted to step away from God's plans for us. To step away from taking the risks He's called us to and jumping into the unknown.

It's in those very moments when we need to remember the most that God is there with us.

How do we know?

He promised us He would be.

I'm really going to miss this group of 8th Graders that are moving up. They were my first set of 6th Graders in PowerSource and I've had them the entire time in small groups. It's bittersweet to see them go. I love these guys. I love what I do. I love that God has called me into this place that He sculpted out for me. It's awesome and I wouldn't trade it for anything unless God called me into another unknown....

I would take the plunge.

Celebration Station And A Stabbing Around The Corner

So today was pretty awesome. I attended my first ministry site with my track group from MFUGE. I'm in the Social track and today we went to a ministry downtown called "Celebration Station". I have an interesting group. No one from PowerSource is in the group with me but, my track leader is a girl named Kara Barefoot. She and I went to the same church when we were younger so it was nice to be able to know someone and catch up a bit. At the Celebration Station(CS) we basically planned out an afternoon of fun for the neighborhood kids. CS is located in a downtown urban area.

The neighborhood is not in a good part of town, during our rounds promoting the party a man was stabbed after he picked a fight with another man just up the corner. CS was on top of it right away. For the first hour we walked around letting people know that we were having this huge party with face painting and balloon animals and games. It was a big hit. We had close to 30 little kids come out. It was awesome. We played 4 Square and RedLight|GreenLight and Freeze Tag. It was really cool.

During the story time a boy named Mark sat beside me. He really like my To Write Love On Her Arms shirt. He wanted to know if I got it at the mall. I told him I didn't and he seemed sad. We talked a bit more and he asked me if I was married, "Yes" I responded. "Does that make you happy?" he inquired. "Yes it does make me very happy but, the thing that makes me the happiest is Jesus. Do you know Jesus?" He shook his head no. I told him about Jesus and about how He had always been there for me no matter what. I explained what He did on the cross and why He had to die. I then asked Mark, "Would you like to know Jesus as your Savior?" Mark sat and thought for a few moments and then replied, "I think I'm ok today." I asked him if he was sure and he said he was.

I hope I get to talk to him more tomorrow.