Partners for the Hearts of Teenagers, July 2014
630 kids focused intently as I explained from Psalm 145 that God is Beyond What You Ever Imagined, because God is Great, God is Good, God is King. And you encounter God by going beyond the 'Me life' to choose the 'Christ-life.'
I told about Scottie, my four-year-old grandson, at the Ash Wednesday service
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| Scottie |
getting ashes on his forehead in the form of a cross. He was delighted. At bath time the ashes washed off. He cried himself to sleep. In the morning his dad awakened to breathing on his face. Scottie smiled with a big cross that he etched on his forehead with a permanent Sharpie! My challenge: "God wants to etch His cross on you."
All week those kids and I energized each other and caused each other to reflect.
High EnergyWhen the old guy speaks to 600+ kids the Holy Spirit needs to show up. Holy Spirit energy covered the room and kids responded from their hearts.
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Holy Spirit Energy
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All week kids and leaders came to talk...
-- Spencer, 16, decided to give up basketball after I told my basketball experience of not seeking first God's Kingdom. Thoughts of suicide had taken him down. He needed to step all the way in to Jesus. And he did.
-- Jonathan, 15, told me about his family... dad not in the picture, mom living with a raging drunk who beats her, family living in poverty. Jonathan lives in total confusion. Only Jesus can rescue him, and He is.
-- Joaquin, a sharp youth leader, and his team came to my youth leader sessions. We became friends. Reach Out will lead a JFYM Forum in McAllen, Texas (Mexican border) this fall.
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Joaquin and his Ministry Team
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And the Holy Spirit used these kids to energize me. He reminded me of my love for kids, and why, after all these years, I invest my life in them and their leaders.
