ACTIVATE youth ministry

Series finale 9.1.10

What up?! Just wanted to remind you not to miss the conclusion of our AYM series, “Do Something” this Wednesday night, 9.1.10 at 7pm. I’ve had a great time sharing this series with you! For the past 3 weeks we’ve alked about Noticing Needs, Overcoming Numbness, and Comforting the Afflicted. I hope that you, and your comfort level have been disturbed, and stirred by God! As a result I hope you feel moved, and motivated to “Do Something.” I know I have. It’s time we begin being the change we want to see in the world! See you Wednesday night as we conclude this series by talking about doing something that isn’t easy, and has a ripple-effect. If we want to see changes we’ve never seen before, we have to do things we’ve never done! Let’s GOOOOOOOOO! 

-J-

Don't care what anyone says, belly flops hurt!

Hey guys! This has been an incredible summer so far! We’ve had great weather so I hope you’ve been able to enjoy it! You ready for this though?! The new school year is only a few short weeks away. Summer always goes by so fast huh?! For some of you, this new school year you’re starting at a  brand new school. Some of you are going to college. Some of you are starting high school. Some of you are starting middle school. Whatever grade you’re about to begin, I hope you’re ready, because it’s right around the corner!  

I know that statement illicits a vast array of different emotions from all of you. Some of you are excited to go back to school, some of you are nervous or stressed out, and some of you are indifferent about the whole idea…

Our hope at AYM, is that you’re not only looking forward to going back to school, but you’re looking forward to going back to school and making an impact for Jesus! Here’s what I mean. Each year Lilia and I take some of you guys to the DR for a short term missions trip, and the excitement you guys feel is easy for us to see. You’re excited to see the people, you’re excited to communicate to them that there’s a God who loves them unconditionally and wants to change their lives from the inside out, you’re exicted about opportunities to pray with and for people, and as your pastors, Lilia and I love seeing that! We also love watching all of those things happen in the DR, and the change it causes in all of you. It’s amazing to watch, and that’s why Liia and I will always give you guys opportunites to get outside of yourselves and do foriegn missions. 

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“God, the one and only – I’ll wait as long as He says. Everything I need comes from Him, so why not?!” Psalm 62:1

Reading this scripture, I became very aware of how impatient I can be sometimes when it comes to God, especially when I compare myself to David. I then asked myself, what is it about David, that made Him patient? Circumstances? No. I looked at the scripture again, and here are two things that jumped out at me, that I believe David recognized, and as a result, was able to be patient with God…

1. God’s RANK in his life…

“God, the one and only…” are the first words of this psalm. I don’t think David’s just saying these words either, I think he wholeheartedly believes them. David is acknowledging that God, as his one and only, God was ranked number 1 as far as David was concerned. That means God was ahead of anything and everything else, including himself and his wishes/preferences. As a result of God being his one and only, David was able to allow God’s plans/timing to supercede his own, and say things like, “Ill wait as long as He says.” As far as David was concerned, God’s number 1 in his life, so I’m going to go ahead and wait on Him and do as He says. And not just say those words, because it’s the christian thing to do, but really mean them. Whoever is number 1 in your life, is the one you wait on! If God doesn’t have the right RANK in our lives, it’s harder to wait on Him…

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hmmmmm

During my devotions today, I was reading 2 Kings chapter 17. The whole chapter was about the people of Israel, and how they had been ignoring God and worshiping other “gods.” God would send people to warn Israel, but they wouldn’t listen and they’d continue with their way of life that God was displeased with. So, God exiled Israel to a foreign land as punishment for ignoring Him and His warnings, and choosing to worship other “gods.” As a result, people from all over began to move into the land that was vacated by the Israelites, and what was reportedof the new kids in town, really caught my attention…

“They honored and worshiped God, but not exclusively — They honored and worshiped God, but they also kept up their devotions to the old gods of the places they had come from…

And they’re still doing it, still worshiping any old god that has nostalgic appeal to them. They don’t really worship God—they don’t take seriously what he says regarding how to behave and what to believe, what he revealed to the children of Jacob whom he named Israel. God made a covenant with his people and ordered them, “Don’t honor other gods: Don’t worship them, don’t serve them, don’t offer sacrifices to them. Worship God, the God who delivered you from Egypt in great and personal power. Reverence and fear him. Worship him. Sacrifice to him. And only him! All the things he had written down for you, directing you in what to believe and how to behave — well, do them for as long as you live. And whatever you do, don’t worship other gods! And the covenant he made with you, don’t forget your part in that. And don’t worship other gods! Worship God, and God only — he’s the one who will save you from enemy oppression.”

 But they didn’t pay any attention. They kept doing what they’d always done. As it turned out, all the time these people were putting on a front of worshiping God, they were at the same time involved with their local idols. And they’re still doing it. 2 Kings 17:32-40 msg

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Hey everybody! In case you hadn’t noticed, Lilia, myself, and 14 of our AYM youth went to the Dominican Republic for a week long mission trip. Our team consisted of 7 teens going for their 1st year, and 7 teens going for their 2nd year. Operation Domincan Republic 2010 was from June 27 – July 4th.  Our AYM missions team has returned from ODR 2010 safe and sound, and what a trip it was!

AYM ODR 2010 team

I think it’s fair to say that none of us will ever be the same again after being available to be used by, and hear from God throughout our week long stay in the Dominican Republic. The trip was an enormous success! So much happened, that me trying to sum it all up in a blog entry would be foolish. Instead, here’s what we did each day, and I would encourage each of you to talk to one of our team members ASAP and give them an opportunity to share with you what God was able to show them, and do through them during their mission in the Dominican Republic!

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