Gymnastics, Candace Camron, and teenagers

Ok, so I do not want to use this blog as a commercial for TV shows, but I gotta say, Make It or Break It, on ABC Family (although I watch it on HuLu), is my favorite show for teenagers. This show allows adults to give give wise council, teens to find the error in their ways, and Candace Cameron (yes, that is DJ from Full House) to point to Christ, often with out being in your face. It also speaks to the struggle to stay sexual pure as a teen, as a single adult and within the confines of marriage, this show is top notch! If you like the world of gymnastics and teen dramas, but are sick of the unrealistic lives of Blair and Serena, this is your show.

Materialism

Hey all-

Tomorrow morning I will be speaking at Delaware County Christian School in the Middle School Chapel on the theme of Materialism. In the talk I will be using Colossians 2:8 and Matthew 6:19-24 to express God's thoughts on storing stuff up on earth. I will also be giving the middle schoolers 5 challenges:

1. STOP watching the CW and MTV (any shows that encourage materialist culture)

2. Go on a buying fast (just stop)

3. Set price limits and stick to them! "I will only spend $X on (fill in the blank)"

4. Give to the Church/Missions what you would regularly spend on "stuff"

5. Fill the time with something productive. Instead of shopping, going to the mall, watching those shows, learn something new; how to sew, a spiritual discipline, about your mom.

Please pray that the students take this seriously.

THANKS!

Violence

Hey all I just got this e-mail from Bob, my director, just wanted to share the request.

Dear Friends,

A reminder to keep our staff in prayer for protection. This afternoon, a few hours ago two of our houses (Stevenson's and Lee's) were in the cross fire of a barrage of gun fire from across the street. Although not the intended target, a casualty of the shooting with each house being hit in front.

In addition Karen Lee's car was hit (flat tire and body). This is the second shooting in mid-afternoon recently, without concern for children or others out and about.

We praise God that he protected our families as Linda and Michael were in our house and Karen and her mother-in-law in theirs.

Pray for peace to replace anxiousness, love to overcome evil.

- Bob

Winter Teen Camp 2010

Tomorrow I get to take 15 teens to camp. We will be at Harmony Heart and I would love it if all of you could be praying for the Lord to guide me, as I speak, them as they listen, and us as we dig into the truths of Scripture. We will be looking into our worth. 1st we'll look at Gideon who thought he was worthless, due to his heritage and fears and yet was used by God. 2nd we'll look at David who thought he had more worth than others, causing him to be an oppressor, and yet he was still used by God. And 3rd we are going to look at 1st Peter 2:9-10 where we are told who Christ has called us out to be. Pray we learn to walk in who He has called us to be, not who we think we should be. Thanks!

Tuesday at Urbana

Well recruiting is tough! And yesterday we hit a wall, but as we hit the wall the Lord hooked us up with some encouragement. A bubbly young lady stopped by the booth and told us her story. She went to Newark Christian School, a World Impact School, and is now at Stanford where she is involved with InterVarsity and trying to figure out how missions fits into her future. She credits Newark World Impact with grounding her in faith and speaking truth into her life. WOW! God is good.

Urbana 2009

I'm in St. Louis and headed to Urbana this afternoon. I am here with several of my co-laborers, it is awesome being with other brothers and sisters who have responded to God's call. Please pray that those who the Lord is calling answer in the affirmative as we recruit college students to come alongside World Impact.

Christmas at Harmony Heart

I love heading up to the Pocconos and visiting my dear co-laborers at Harmony Heart Camp (HHC). Annually the staff at HHC host our church families for a weekend in December to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We hike up the hill and cut down a couple of Christmas trees, decorate cookies, make gingerbread houses, sing carols and hear the story of Jesus' birth.

Sunday morning I sat with Mirra, a three year old I love. She sat on my lap and after the communal singing fell fast asleep, it was adorable. This tiny bundle of joy sleeping in my arms, for one moment I could relate with Mary, a warm body, beautiful baby sleeping peacefully in my lap. I also felt I could relate to every mother in the room, when suddenly I heard a strange sound, it sounded like water, my lap was wet, I got peed on! And this is why we need Jesus, when we settle into complacency He reminds us of our need for a Savior. We are not perfect, the child my arm is flawed and I have to unpack my bag and change my clothes.... Much love!