Sharefest/YDA camp post #2

Here's my second blogpost for the Sharefest Youth Development Academy, July 2009. It is currently happening at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

I have a group of 9 students for the next 2 weeks. I absolutely love it. God is ready to administer His justice. Praying for His time and His Words to be spoken and acted.

Here's the post:

Today was a beautiful one for the Sharefest YDA camp. Campers had the opportunity to hone their creative writing skills followed by a refreshing time in the CSUDH swimming pool.

As I look back on today's time in the pool, I'm reminded of my purpose for working at the YDA Camp this year.

Students found themselves participating in the pool time in a variety of ways. A few students opted out altogether. Some students found themselves dressed and ready to go in the pool, yet never made their way actually into the pool. A few students sat on the pool's edge and dangled their feet in the refreshing water. Still other students played in the shallow end the entire time, bobbing up and down without any fear of drowning or injury. Then, there was the group of students who quickly found their way to the diving boards (one high and one low) and into the deep end... 12 feet to be exact. Throughout the duration of the pool time, counselors were strategically placed in every part of the pool, on the pool's edge, near the bathrooms, and against the wall. There was never a counselor who was by him or herself not interacting with a student. All the while, we were under the watchful eye of Chief Lifeguard-on-Duty, Lee. It seemed that wherever you saw a group of students, there was a counselor nearby.

This scene has shown me why Sharefest YDA exists.

Life, as we experience it, is like a large swimming pool. There are many ways to experience life: the pool's edge, the shallow end, the deep, etc. And in these different life experiences, our students find themselves surrounded by onlookers, peers, and support systems. What I saw today that struck me deeply was that I am at this camp to provide genuine, nurturing support to my students for whatever life experience they have. Some students are sauntering through the shallow end of life; others find themselves in the deep end (whether they chose it or not). It is my job for this short amount of time to support these students in their current life experience while cheering them on to success and possible maturity to the next life experience.

I desire that these students are NEVER left alone to fend for themselves. Rather, each student needs support throughout their entire life to ensure fulfillment and success. Moreover, they may find themselves teaching, coaching, cheering, and supporting the next generation in the same way they have experienced it.

Sharefest/YDA camp

Here's my blog post for the Sharefest/Youth Development Academy currently taking place at Cal State Dominguez Hills through July 2009.

This post was originally posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at:

http://sharefest.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/yda-session-two-day-three/

Can You Feel the Heat?

Another fun-filled day was experienced during the Youth Development Academy today. Thanks to Lee Hancock, Mary Jo, and Paul for coming out to teach us some soccer skills while having a blast in the summer sun. It was a thrill to see students who were reluctant to participate in the soccer games become more and more enthusiastic about the activities as time passed today. One student in particular, Doris, was highlighted near the end of the day as a participant who changed her own attitude from uninvolved to joyful and abandoned as she ran around the soccer field with her fellow YDA students.

Following the rousing soccer games and drills, all session two students took a VIP tour of the Home Depot Center. Students were most enthralled with the privilege to be up close to Galaxy's #23, David Beckham's locker. To actually see his and his teammates gear in place ready for the next match was quite exciting. I tried my best to imagine the adrenaline that so often flows in that locker room just before each match. It must be exciting to know that years of training, discipline, drilling, determination, and possibly instances of failure led up to each team member's current status as a professional soccer player. I imagined my campers, both male and female, one day pushing beyond their 'brick walls' and finding success in a variety of disciplines. I can picture Lesslie as a professional female boxer; I can see Jasmin as a successful women's soccer team member; Jamel will someday grace the ESPN Sportscenter headlines as a NFL star; Morelia will no doubt be a box office success as a big screen actress.

Hopefully, today was a glimpse into the future for each camper with much anticipation for success.

Watch this. Pray for Iran.

This video is ominous:

I ask, "where are WE?"

mango salsa? -- a mixed bag

Here are some 'mixed bag' thoughts:

#1

2 Peter 1:5-7. Faith is the starting point, then goodness, then knowledge. Why does the church always want to start w/ knowledge? This reminds me of the first sin (sorry CC) that mankind wanted to test out the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The sin of wanting to 'be like God.' As Christ-followers, FAITH ALONE must be our fuel. This is a gift of God. Otherwise, we could talk about how good we are because we convinced ourselves that Jesus is who He says He is. Faith is required at the beginning. Faith leads to doing good things for the Kingdom. We do these things because we believe, know and have hope that Jesus is who He says He is.

THEN, we beging to gain knowledge. We understand the Truth of Jesus. Be careful!

#2

I recently went on a field trip with some middle school students to Bluff Cove in Palos Verdes. As we were walking the shoreline, one 7th grader said to me "What do you think would happen if you got in a boat and just sailed out there and kept going?" He added, "What do you think is out there?" I encouraged him and told him that he can set sail one day and find out. He said that he's tried to find out what's "out there." He said that when he plays video games and there's an ocean/water that he's in while playing the video game he tries to sail out into the ocean to see what happens. He said, "It doesn't let me go very far."

HOW SAD that so many kids are bound by video games as a means of exploration, inquiry, and curiosity. What a call for adults, pastors, shepherds, parents, and teachers to give ample opportunity to invest into the lives of our younger generations! Oh the things we're neglecting...

Culture and Sharing the Truth

TV, media, and cultural influences have become a gigantic roadblock to Christ-followers from sharing what we believe to be the Truth.

There is the notion in our American culture that when, or even if, Christians share the Gospel with those who don't believe we are doing things such as:

imposing our beliefs on others

are intolerant

are disrespectful

are socially awkward

are hurting friendships/relationships

among many other things.

The problem is that THE CHURCH HAS BELIEVED WHAT SOCIETY IS TELLING THEM. Instead of listening the One we claim to follow by spreading the Gospel, we sheepishly drop a vauge reference to Jesus and our conviction every once in a while when it seems to not impose on others.

I just recently viewed Penn's (of Penn & Teller) video blog where he details an interaction he had with a Christian who preached to him about his faith. Penn made it very very clear that he was thankful to the man who preached to him and considered him wonderful and kind. Penn recognized that the man was genuine and kind and had nothing but good things to say about him.

This account is in stark constrast to what we as the Church hear from the American culture about sharing the Gospel. Rather, Penn (who is a professing atheist), displays what is most likely the real perspective of those who yet believe in Christ-- a genuine overflow of thanksgiving for being able to hear the Truth spoken in agape love.

dnez

Salad Bowl of Thoughts

>>  Why do people answer "sure" instead of answering "yes?"  I'll admit that I've done this numerous times in the past.  Now, I'm put off by it.

>> What's with the idea that I am supposed to let my son (who's a toddler) act like a monster and play 'guns,' wrestle, and 'act like a boy,' when it looks NOTHING like Christ?  This I don't like.  I hate the whole line that goes "we're trying to raise boys in an effeminate society."  So what if my kid wears baggy jeans or skinny jeans.  If my son becomes a star quarterback or a ballad-singing piano player it won't make a difference to me.  I care that He responds to God's call in his life to follow Jesus.  'nuff said!

>>  I was inspired to think about what certain exercises I could implement into my life.  It seems that it would be beneficial to begin acting Christ-like INTENTIONALLY whether my emotions are guiding me or not.  Maybe I should visit a senior-citizens center and spend time with them even though I don't FEEL CALLED to do it.  It is something that shows the Kingdom and It's power without my emotions being served.  Other things on this possible list could include:  watching my neighbor's kids, volunteering to do a little extra at work or church, going on a missions trip, getting rid of my TV so I spend more time with my wife, and making a written list of everything I'm thankful so I DON'T FORGET them.

Without Love

Had a great talk today w/ @karaokejoel.

These words from the Apostle Paul in the first letter to the Corinthians came alive even more today:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Joel & I talked about these words in the context of relationships (marriage, friendship, etc.). Hearing a great reminder of the value of love and respect in a marriage brought my thoughts back to the importance of the love of Christ. There are often notions and conceptions that if a person 'just' begins to 'do' the right things in a marriage, then they will develop their love/respect for their spouse. If we train ourselves to do the right stuff, then that we carry itself on into the years of our lives and be the display of our love for one another. I understand the importance of love, respect, discipline, and developing good habits and laying aside bad habits. My question and provoked-thought leads me to the question of WHY do all these things first?


In regards to our relationship with Jesus, we aren't required to obey Him and then, sometime later, we fall in love with Jesus because we started doing all the right things.

Instead, Jesus speaks these words:

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Also, in the infamous John 3:16, we are reminded that 'For God so loved the world, that He..."

It starts w/ love from God, then action follows.


I say, we shouldn't rely on a checklist of actions and duties to merely give the appearance of agape love. Instead, we should seek the Father and His love to be given to us as a gift and a fruit of the Spirit.

Once, we are filled with the Spirit, love is borne in us. Only then can we show unconditional, agape love to those around us with a pure heart.

D