It was wonderful to be in church this morning. After a great time of fellowship with several families at a Square Dance, I feel even more connected to this body of believers.
The message was from one of my most cherished passages of Scripture II Corinthians 4. Our humble pastor shared in such a passionate yet vulnerable way and I was both challenged (to continue to die to self) and encouraged (to not lose heart). God's word is so relevant! I love it so!
I was also blessed by testimonies from some of the youth. Many of our youth are in the midst of a 40 Day Revolution. It is voluntary and student run (and initiated). All of the participants are fasting from various different things, spending time in the word and prayer, are connected with adult prayer partners, and have different challenge exercises to do within their school. It's been inspiring to hear them share testimonies of how God is using them in their schools and among their peers. These kids really are a light in the darkness and God is using them in powerful ways. After the service, I was finally able to meet with my prayer partner and encourage her with God's Word. That's one of my favorite things to do (take people directly to God's word and show them how it applies to them personally). I'm still a little nervous working with youth. I'm much more comfortable with the pre-schoolers. I don't know why, but I feel so un-cool working with youth and honestly, it gets in the way of ministry a lot of the time, so I tend to avoid it. They don't always relate to me well, either. Maybe I'm intimidating. I don't know. But they love my kids! Anyway, her mom is so excited for me to be her daughter's prayer partner, so that's good, I guess.?
We also got a report from a recent high school grad who has been down in Mexico with YWAM. She's back home for her sister's wedding (she and her fiance are also on staff with YWAM in Mexico). It was wonderful to hear from her and so encouraging, but I was also concerned as she expressed how she was learning how little she really knows about What we believe. She's understanding that she's been ill-equiped to share the gospel. So on the one hand you have these kids who are trying to be Salt and Light on their campuses, which is fabulous, but on the other hand, they're not equiped to do it. That's the challenge. I'm still mulling that over.
Then we came home and watched our Colts turn over the victory to the Patriots. Sigh! It's only football, right? :)
I'll close with a couple of notes from this morning's sermon:
For resurrection to happen, something must die.
For His resurrecting power to occur in me requires the death of me every day.
As you die to youself, the glory and power of God are made manifest in you.
He must increase, I must decrease.
In what way(s) do you need to die today?
"For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake,
so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
II Corinthians 4:11 | 
