So after briefly starting a "blog" on my mac account, I've decided to take it to the next level and do an "official" blog. That way I can be "relevant" like my lead pastor Jonathan Bow (www.jonathanbow.com)..... ok so I totally put that in there b/c I know he will probably be reading my blog (or at least I hope) and for the fact he's dropped multiple hints at creating a blog everytime I talk to him. I love you Bow!
So this past weekend I have been in Atlanta, GA attending the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention. It amazes me that fifty-five hundred people who love students from all different denominations can gather all in one place and just love Jesus together. I always look forward to this because I'm bound to run into someone I went to school with and just catch up on ministry and life. In addition to meeting up with old friends YS brings in some of the best in Ministry and Leadership and to get a week to just learn and soak up from those who have been doing it for years is always rewarding! Last night Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin delivered a night that was so amazing that words can't even describe the feeling it left you with. That session alone made the whole trip worth it!
Although I am having a blast getting away from the norm, I incredibly miss the norm. I miss my wife, my dogs, my life group, my team @ crosspointe, and I really miss my students. Last night after the Giglio/Tomlin session my buddy Josh and I went to head back to our room and in our hotel there was some sort of high school fall dance. And as the students came walking out around the hotel, some reeked of alcohol and others of smoke, and my heart just felt for them. You can see the tension in the air and on their faces of "I'm trying so hard to fit in and I don't know if I even like what I'm doing." There was this one couple in particular, I would say 15-16 years old, that got on the elevator with us and when looking at them it made me want to just weep for them. The guy had this presence that displayed excitement, pride, and a sense of accomplishment. Whereas the girl when looking in her eyes it screamed fear, doubt, uncertainty, and pain. It was obvious what they were about to do and another older couple in the elevator said to her, "you don't have to do this," but she just stared at all of us with disbelief at what was about to take place. And as she walked off the elevator you can see the tears fill up her eyes in addition to the middle finger from the proud male teen. When I got back to my room I couldn't help but wonder what if she were one of my girls, one of my students that I love, how much more would it have affected me. It was at that time God reminded me why He has me where He does.
All that to say, I'm having a great time getting away and a reality check of why God placed me to work with such a hurting group of people. Sorry so long, I guess when you haven't blogged in six month you have a lot to talk about. Now let's see who actually read this thing!
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