Thoughts from the Day

I've decided to have a "life verse" its going to be John 17:19, "And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours."  I want to live in complete obedience and surrender to God with the ultimate goal being that others would also come to that place of trust in their relationship with Jesus.

My roommate is sitting in her room watching videos of old people with speech disorders loudly declaring "my heart is melting, awh, I love you Joe!" She is definitely someone who has found her calling in life, its cool to watch her enjoy school.

This morning I went up on the 5th floor of the parking garage and looked out over downtown Springfield.  I was going to read but then I just started praying about stuff.  It was way cool a couple hours later when I went to a meeting to pray with/for the Summer of Lunch staff and they were saying that they needed prayer for the exact things I had already been praying for.  Its so mind blowing how the spirit works throughout the "family."  I think I've been really lucky to come in on this project with nothing but a desire for the neighborhood kids to be blessed.  Its not my money or rep in the church thats on the line so I've got nothing else to think about other than letting God move.  I think somehow I've got to learn to keep that perspective even when I do have something actually riding on the risk I'm partaking in.  

Yesterday someone asked me "why youth ministry?" and I couldn't really figure it out.  When I was younger I just knew that I was frustrated with the state of the church in america and as I was complaining to God about it he said "ya know, you're right, go do something about it."  And the immediate opportunities I had were to work with youth and help them get that Christianity isn't a religion its a relationship.   Over the past few years I've dreamed some pretty big dreams and it seems like God might actually be pressing me forward on one right now.  All I know is that wether its adults, college kids, or youth I'm working with I have to be a part of a change for the better. 

The low tonight is 69 I wish I was sleeping outside! I would do it at my house but there are TONS of bugs everywhere and I am supper allergic to the stuff that grows here :( There was one summer I slept on my deck every night, that was wonderful.