HCLM BLOG

I am fresh back from an incredible, month-long experience in Israel. It was such a great blessing to experience the culture, the history, the people. A great word of thanks for Rotary that pays for the entire trip and for selecting me. It was a great trip and I am home safely with my wonderful wife...good news. (As I process the trip and my journal, for those that are interested, keep looking at the blog. I would love to share some of my experience with you).

I also found out that while I was gone, we had several students sign up for the summer mission trip to Atlanta as we rebuild homes in the area after the extensive flooding last fall. To be exact, we had 22 students sign up, a new record for us. I wasn't sure we would have that many with the National Youth Gathering this summer, an every three year event. But I'm proud of our students, they love to serve. More good news.

The bad news (sorry I didn't warn you) is that I had two adults have to back out of attending the trip which leaves us really short. If you know an adult (or two) who could benefit from a week of serving along side some great students, please let me know. We leave Saturday, June 26 and get back Saturday, July 3. 

I'll start with a confession...it is good for the soul after all. I didn't want to come to the Student Ministry L-team last night. It's not that I don't love the students, I do...or that I don't enjoy our series, based on the movie, To Save a Life, I do. It was just that I had about 3 hours of sleep on Sunday night. Not sure why...just couldn't get my mind to slow down enough to sleep. So I was up at 1:30a. And I was cranky. Enough for the confession.

I came across this quote: “Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.” – Mother Theresa. Lauren, one of our confirmation mentors I believes embodies this idea. Following confirmation this past Wednesday she hung around and waited for me to finish conversations with students and parents. She opened with this phrase, "what a great night!" I know the thought of spending the night with middle school students would scare some. But she is not just doing a ministry but rather investing in the lives of four young girls and it is already starting to pay off. As she described the authentic level of personal sharing of their lives and the faith discussions and their spiritual growth, I could literally see the joy in her eyes. I can't help but think this comes from her being a joyful person. Now she has caught souls. If only I could travel down the corridors of time to see how the investment she spends with her team makes a difference for eternity. For all the Lauren's out there, keep up the good work.

Wrapped up another night of confirmation. Just finished locking up the building and had a compelling feeling to share a few thoughts on the night (something I haven't done in a LONG time).

 We started the prayer packet tonight (the third packet in a series of seven). As we closed the night, I asked the kids to grab their Bible and spread out over the upstairs walkway. They were to spend the last ten minutes in quiet, just listening for God. No ipods, no cell phones, no talking. It was quite a site, 25 middle school students in complete silence wrapped all around the balcony. It brought to mind Psalms 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God."

 Honestly, I needed that quiet moment more then they did. It was refreshing. A great way to end the day. A great way to start the day as well. While wallowing in the endless quagmire of busyness and activity, a still moment with God might be just what you need tonight as well. I need to do that more often.