GYC 2010

I was thinking about GYC the other day. Wondering if it is really worth going to. Is it just a fun place to be? a place to hang out with my friends? a place to be able to say I went? Have the three I've experienced really changed me?
As I pondered these questions I realized some things were true. It caused me to consider my true motives. It is a wonderful blessings to be surrounded by likeminded friends and enjoy their fellowship. But if that is my sole purpose for attending to the neglect of the spiritual renewal offered there then it's worth is lost on me. It is tempting sometimes to relish the thought of the chance to rub shoulders with the "elite" at such gatherings as GYC. But if I do not accept their challenge to live a life more fully surrender to my Savior, if I put them on a pedestal, if I consider it a greater privilege to make their acquaintance than to enter into the presence of the Almighty morning by morning, I have dishonored them and my Lord.
Am I perfect for having attended GYC? No. I come each year having gained victories, but also having encountered new battles.
In conclusion, GYC for me is a waymark. I can look back and see how things have changed since I was last here. I can see how God has led me, guided me, directed me, moved me, grown me, broken me, changed me, and remember His faithfulness to complete the good work He has started in me. It is a place I can look back to and see the commitment I made to God. It can encourage me when I feel like I am all alone in this pilgrim way to remember the thousands of young people around the world climbing with me.
Coming to GYC doesn't mean you will change. It is not a magical place. You cannot just come, sit back, and expect to be different when you leave. Change is possible. Change is what God wants. He wants to go deeper with us. But we have to give Him permission to search the depths of our soul. GYC provides a place to do that, but it is only realized by those who enter into that soul searching place with God.
For anyone considering attending this conference, whether for the first time or again, I would encourage you to do so. But I would also encourage you to not just let GYC a place. Make GYC a lifestyle. Let us live the commitments we make, use the tools we gain, witness as fervently and as unashamedly, all the other 360 days of the year.  Let us truly be the Generation for Youth for Christ.

Strength...

What does not kill me makes me stronger.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

It kind of describes my summer. Days packed full of experiences that stretched and pulled me out of my comfort zone. Some made me think about whether I was serious about my commitment. I am. But I've seen a lot more of my self. I've seen a lot more of how much I need Him. But what does not kill me makes me stronger. And He promised that His strength is made perfect in weakness. I held onto that promise many numerous times this summer. Sometimes with the last quaking ounce of faith I had in me. If anything, this summer taught me I'm capable of more than I thought. But only if He is sustaining me. It's not easy. But it is incredibly fulfilling.

...out of weakness were made strong.. Heb 11:34

...Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'" Joel 3:10

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Cor 12:9, 10

To Mexico...

My brother John and I leave for Chiapas, Mexico tomorrow morning. I haven't caught up from my summer adventures, but I'm trusting that God will supply the strength I need.

I'm really excited about this trip. Our first ever mission trip and first time out of the country as well. It promises to be an unforgettable experience. God has supplied above and beyond all our needs. Mom and I did shopping for the trip yesterday...getting VBS supplies, hard hats, safety glasses, and work gloves. Maranatha gave us a list of things we could bring for the people and children in Mexico...toothbrushes, toothpaste, little bars of soap, etc. So  I went into a Comfort Inn and told them I was going on a mission trip to Mexico and asked if they would like to donate a hand full of toiletries. They gave me a bag of soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, toothbrushes & toothpaste, travel sewing kits, and deodorant. I'm going to take them a Thank You card. :)

Now to pack to day in a couple of hours so that we can leave for town in time to get a couple last minute things, see my nieces and nephew and get up to Omaha. Our flight leaves at 6:36am so we are going to stay in a Hotel just down the road from the airport since we have to be there at 4:30am.

Keep the trip, the Maranatha group, the church, and the people we will be meeting in your prayers. Thank you!!

Isaiah 8:11-14

The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, "Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don't live in dread of what frightens them. Make the LORD of Heaven's Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe." NLT

For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; KJV

I'm sure all of you at one time or another have heard the conspiracy theories about 9/11 and other things going on in America. (NOTE: Whether or not you believe in them is totally up to you. But please don't start telling me about your latest findings. Thank you! :) I have heard my share of theories. They sound very plausible at times. I will keep my opinion about them to myself for the time being however.

This morning I was listening to my audio Bible while making my lunch and these verses from Isaiah stood out to me. The only thing conspiracy theories succeed in doing most often is taking our eyes off of Christ and His soon coming. They leave us with suspicions about everyone who passes us, and a fear of what my be coming in the future.

When I heard these words from Isaiah this morning it almost made my mouth drop open. It was like God knew what I'd been thinking lately. Not that CT have been keeping me awake at night or sent me under cover, but I have wondered about them. Here God is telling us, "Don't pass these things along. Don't give them your attention. Instead fear Me. Look to me and I will be your sanctuary in time of trouble." What a comforting thought. I do not need to fret and worry about what may happen tomorrow. I do not need to fear as those of this world do who have no refuge.

We serve an Almighty God! I will not fear...though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

He is my sanctuary!

Walking west...

Gal 5:16,18, 22, 23 | This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ...if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. ...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Rom 8:1, 2, 4 | There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Thoughts: My focus should be to walk after, follow, pursue the Spirit. For if I do that I will not be walking after, following, pursuing the flesh. Trying to chase down my sinful habits and weaknesses, to bring them under submission, will never bring me success. Only as I pursue Christ Jesus, forsaking my flesh entirely and walk after, follow, pursue the Spirit, will I be changed, not by my efforts, working, striving, but by natural consequence. Just as, if I am walking west, I can no longer be walking east. Trying to chase east and make it go west will never work. Just go west, and east will be left behind.