Tears

Seldom am I moved to tears, but when I was home, it was truly a kiss from Jesus. I saw a number of people, including a bunch of my Oasis kids at Chris’ house. It was truly a testimony of the beauty that unfolds when you stick around long enough to see it. Only God could have brought out of those middle school years of utter awkwardness what I witnessed.

Kira had a rocky pre-adolescent time to say the least. The incredible, gentle young lady she’s become is completely mouth-dropping. I’m sure she is not without teenage drama, but wow she is amazing! Plus, the beauty in which she reads and writes is a sight to behold.

Whitney, where in the world did that amazing voice come from? The girl doesn’t even need a musical instrument to back her up. Some might think, “Judy you’re just being nice.” Nope, I say what I mean and mean what I say. As a 15 year old, I’d put her voice on any stage. I was sooo stunned, I told her if she did two trimesters with a “B” average, I would give her my Baby Taylor. I’m not sure what I was thinking, but at the same time felt compelled to invest in her future. Watch out world.

Watching Scotty play guitar is an art form all to itself. Words cannot describe it, only seeing it does it justice. Seriously, I’m without words just thinking about it.

Neil is the self-proclaimed perfect child. If there ever was one, he would be the poster child for it. He’s kind, a servant, and as smart as all get out. He dreams big dreams and I’m pretty confident he will achieve them.

Hilary’s art form comes through hair styles. Her personality and skills will make getting your hair cut healing, fun and an experience. She’s not just good at it, she’s AMAZING!

I remember when Zach was so spacey, you’d always have to keep your eye on him. Not anymore. He’s a grown, serving, young man with integrity and song writing skills.

Evan M, the boy with a heart of gold, has had his moments in recent years. But, the words that came out of his mouth in just the few brief minutes I had with him let me know, “Evan, the man, will do just fine.” Part of his destiny will be the faithful friend you can call any hour of the day when in need. He will be the poster child for the Good Samaritan one day, if he isn’t already.

Evan B, I’m pretty convinced will be the shocker of them all when it comes to transformation. When we talked about his heart to go into youth ministry, I was not talking to the awkward boy of yesterday but the God-honoring, reflective, man of today.

With Kyle, you will never meet a young man of his age more pure of heart. There is a stability he walks with that you just can’t quite put your finger on. He is about as steady as they come.

And when did the Wolfram boys go from toddlers to pre-teens…and Vanessa from a baby in my arms at the hospital to a lil cheerleader? It was so fun seeing them out on the football field. However, I know the days ahead for Don & Roxanne as the kids begin to enter middle school. How formative, how amazing…how rough! Just hold on Roxanne, the other side will be a sight to behold.

I could go on and talk about the amazing young ladies the Marzke girls are (I’m so jealous of their track and field skills and am stunned at how the two youngest have grown, all three are so very beautiful), the humor and intelligence that Corey still possesses, the beauty of Azaria… but I’m sure if I do I will leave someone out so I’ll stop.

Others post-party…
I absolutely loved hearing my nephew, Josh, talk about the passion he has for the Spyder. I haven’t seen that twinkle in his eye when it comes to serving in the sweet spot of his shape in awhile.

Seeing Trevor in his Penn football gear was way too fun. I could only stay for a few minutes so I didn’t get to see him play, but I know it’s nothin’ but passion on the field. But, I have a feeling someday you’ll find him the most happy catching waves oceanside on a surfboard.

Hearing Tristan say he is playing drums at the Elkhart campus made my heart smile. I remember the beginning days of Oasis where he led the band from behind the drums. Who does that? Like Scotty worships with his guitar, Tristan worships with his sticks. He’s a fun drummer to watch. I will always hold the late night talks with Karissa and him near and dear to my heart.

Seeing the incredible young woman my niece, Ashlyn, is becoming is amazing as well. She’ll graduate with two degrees in May – Biology and Psychology. I won’t hold it against her that they are from Purdue. She makes fun of my I.U. Accounting degree, but I’m ok with that as long as she makes more money than I do My starting salary out of college will be hard for her to beat. My salary in ministry…not so much. I wouldn’t miss her college graduation for anything.

This is way too long of post, but just thought you should know and, since I don’t journal, thought I should record it somewhere.

The heart of our students

I'm cleaning my office.  It's a tradition to have a clean office before I go on a week of vacation.  I'm 3 trash bags in and about 1/2 done.  I just came across what the students wrote the last time I preached in Oxygen.  

I asked "If you were transported to heaven and were face-to-face with Jesus...and only had time to ask one questions...what would it be?  Most of the questions you would expect...what is my life purpose, when will the world end, why do you allow sin in the world, etc.  But there were a couple that really got me...

1.  Why did you allow the terrible things in my life to happen?

2.  Jesus, could you give me a hug?

3.  Why did you take the ones I love away from me?

4.  Do you accept me for being gay?

5.  Can I come home to you Lord?

6  Does my dad have kids we don't know about?

7.  If my dad knew that I was around, would he love me?

The thoughts and questions that are bouncing around in our students heads are important.  Are we giving them adequate time to voice them?

  

Willow Creek's Leadership Summit

Get a play-by-play of Willow's Leadership Summit on Rob's blog here.

New Granger Series Trailer

GCC out did themselves with this new trailer. It's incredible!

Ravi Zacharias

Great video post by Ravi Zacharias here. It's got my brain on overload. Here is part of what I attempted to transcribe.

"The emergent church, at it’s core, lets the consumer be the definer of what is relevant and what is appropriate.

There is a point you have to be relevant. But it is Truth that makes relevance, relevant. Without Truth, relevance is irrelevant. So really you cannot strip anything of the Truth. They are focusing more on form than substance. So propositional truth is minimized, felt truth is maximized. How did this come about? Sometimes church preaching and communication got so out of touch with the listener, we hurt those who were already hurting, feed the pride of those already proud…and were just not meeting the needs of the people where they were. So there was a problem, but what they’ve done is sacrificed content in the process.

Jesus always questioned his questioners, to open them within their own assumptions and then determined the entry point of the discussion…but got them to the truth to where He wanted them to be. “Why do you call me good? There is nothing good but God? Are you calling me God? If you are calling me God, are you going to listen to Me?”

“Is it alright to play taxes to Caesar?” Jesus says, “You got a coin? Whose image is on this?” “Caesars.” Jesus, “Give to Caesar that which is Caesar, unto God which is God.” At this point, the questioner ought to have said, “What belongs to God?” Jesus would have said, “Whose image is on you?”

Jesus took people from where they were to bring them to where He is.

The emergent church is not that new. Some of it started in the Garden of Eden when the enemy of our soul said, “Has God really said…did God really say this?” Causing doubt on the propositional revelation of God. So, I think the Emergent church is flirting with a lot of danger. It is flirting with the obliteration of the revealed Word and making a felt reality, ultimate reality. My experience is not what is ultimately real. God’s Word is eternally true and I have to alter my way of thinking to conform to God’s Word, not the other way around.”

Spiritual Mothers and Fathers

Great post by Craig Groeschel on spiritual fathers here. It not a term that I heard much in the north or United Methodist church ... not sure which was the reason, north or UM. Anyway, now that I'm in the South and at an AG church I here it all the time. While I've experienced many pros and cons on the complete denominational flip, it's one of the things I've really grown to appreciate in the transition.