Found

I have a huge burden for young people.  I love the young-really young kids, babies- but my burden is for the teenagers.  My burden is for what they go through every day and the things they will face in the future.  My generation has become so absorbed in their own “self” they can’t or won’t relate and help the teenagers today-their own children.  So we have kids helping kids.  That’s a good thing that they are so willing to help, but in many cases they are not equipped to help and have no clue as to where to go or who to turn to.

Psalm 34:18 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit

So that’s it!  He is their resource!  The one they turn to!  But in today’s world, our kids don’t even know that!  Our parents stay in bed on Sunday morning because they have worked all week or they are working and kids are at home.  I know our world is going down the crapper-literally!  No one cares about scheduling people to work around church.  There was a time that was important!  I miss those days because I can still remember them!  Even when my kids were young, we didn’t schedule sports practice on Wednesday evenings because folks went to church.  Easy as that. 

Our kids today are looking for something.  They aren’t finding it in video games anymore!  Drugs aren’t fulfilling them either!  They are so worn out with sex the “normal” way- the way God has designed it-that they turn to homosexuality!  Just anything they can find.  It’s still our job to lead our kids.  Show them the right way to go!  Guide them!  The Bible tells us so!

Proverbs 22:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it

A Mothers Prayer

Oh give me patience when wee hands tug at me with their small demands and give me gentle and smiling eyes.  Keep my lips from hasty replies and let not weariness, confusion or noise obscure my vision from lifes fleeting joys.  So when in years to come my house is still, no bitter memories its rooms may fill.      Author Ida Hall Brown              

All leaders are learners.  The moment you stop learning, you stop leading.                    Pastor Rick Warren    

I told a friend this weekend at our next youth meeting we should let the kids teach and we learn.  There is so much in their world that we don’t even know or realize is going on!  I am afraid if I knew it all I would be in shock.  But sometimes we as teachers, leaders, even as parents, have to step back and go, “OK I know you are going through adult stuff, so teach me so I can help you!”

Kids like facts.  Their world is so full of repeat that sometimes it all gets confused.  In video games, they kill the enemy how many times?  They get new lives how many times?  The new thing now is Vine-where they watch and rewatch and rewatch and rewatch a 7 second video.  You get the picture.  Everything in life is expressed as a game or something that is disposable.   Just get a new one is their answer to everything.  Well this is what they need to know- and this isn’t disposable!

I know there’s a God who knows my name and a son who died to take the blame

I believe that Jesus is coming back ‘cause promises are promises and facts are facts.

As sure as there’s a law of gravity that says what goes up must come down,

This is the ultimate reality that God Is, and God Loves, and God can be found!   Steven Curtis Chapman

He is just waiting to be found!  He is the “fix” all these kids are looking for and when they find Him I want to be a part of it!  Last night Jacob attended Young Life at the leadership of Ryan Longenette.  When I arrived there were kids everywhere!  They assemble for fun and friendship but they also find out about God.  They don’t hear about Him on a church pew, from a hymnal in their Sunday best or even from a Bible with pages!  They may hear about Him through a BibleApp on their phone.  A video on YouTube sitting in a crowded living room on the floor.  The most unconventional way is probably how they are going to learn that Jesus loves them!  And they are going to remember that when they are in their darkest hour.  When they are in a situation that they don’t know how in the world to get out of, they are going to remember an evening of fun when they were surrounded by friends and there was a crazy guy there that agreed to dye his hair pink just because there were 60 kids that came out!  You know, it doesn’t matter how we get kids to assemble, what matters is that we tell them Jesus loves them in what little time we have with them.  We tell them we are available for them 24/7 but when we aren’t there- Jesus IS!  He has the ultimate Wi-Fi connection.  He holds them in the palms of His hand.

Isaiah 49:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.

As they begin to call up on Him for those simple everyday things in their life; math tests, ballgames, relationships, He is teaching them and getting them ready for those times when their faith will be tested.  And they will remember….they will call upon HIM! I love this song by Sidewalk Prophets!

Help Me Find It    (Sidewalk Prophets)

I don't know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I'm finding I can't do this on my own

I don't know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I'm done fighting, I'm finally letting go

I will trust in You
You've never failed before
I will trust in You

If there's a road I should walk
Help me find it if I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will, whatever Your will

Can you help me find it?
Can you help me find it?

I'm giving You fear and You give faith
I giving you doubt, You give me grace
For every step I've never been alone

Even when it hurts, You'll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath, You've never let me go

I will wait for You
You've never failed before
I will wait for You

If there's a road I should walk
Help me find it if I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will, whatever Your will

Can you help me find it?
Can you help me find it?

I lift my empty hands
(Come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King
(I give my all to You)

I lift my eyes again
(Was blind but now I see)
'Cause You are all I need

If there's a road I should walk
Help me find it if I need to be still
Give me peace for the moment
Whatever Your will, whatever Your will

Can you help me find it?
Can you help me find it?

A friend and I have an ongoing theory about putting microchips in children when they are born just to “find” them.  Praise God He doesn’t have to have a microchip or a cell phone number or a Wi-Fi connection when we want to call His name!

Nahum 1:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him

Jesus Christ knows us-each and every one!  Father God knows His children and when we put our trust in Him He will be there for us.  All we have to do is reach out and grab hold.  He will deliver us from our times of trouble.  He will laugh with us when we are happy, He cries with us when we are sad.  He comforts us, holds us and loves us!  That’s all our kids need to know!  And who knows, maybe they can teach us a thing or two!

Philippians 4:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me