So today was the first real day back home. Most of us have probably unpacked and started a load of laundry (hopefully). Life without the team begins... so how do we continue to live as if we were together? No, I don't mean rubber-band wars or human tables - how do we continue to spend every moment of our waking hours in the mindset of Glorifying God? That's what we did when we were together - when we were awake we were working for the Lord. Just because we aren't living in the KCCCCCC anymore doesn't mean that we have to put our "old cloak" back on though. We need to take the lessons that we have learned from the past 10 days and apply it to our lives. I have had enough "mountain top" experiences to know that there is always a valley. I say that this time guys, we ask for the Lord's help, and build a bridge across it, with Him laying the stones and guiding us across.
We can do this. The hardest part is remembering. It's easy to remember in the morning or at night when you are having your "God" time, it's the rest of the day that gets you. So what are you going to do to remind yourself CONTINUALLY throughout the day? I challenge you to remember all day, everyday why you are really here. Humans are made to glorify Christ - image how much better of a person we would be if we would just remember that in all we do. Make it a habit to glorify Christ in all that you do.
* We should all get tattoos....
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
We have an unfair advantage
Earlier in the week when the weather forecast included unwelcome showers, Michael commented that we Christians have an unfair advantage because we work for the One who controls the rain. But as we witnessed today at Huntington Park's big rally, our God controls much more than the rain. This entire week with the intriguing "I agree" t-shirts and posters was leading up to this day when three of the Christian club leaders were to share their testimonies with their peers in the school auditorium. But when we arrived at HP this morning, we were told that one of the three, M. J., was not going to be let off of work for the rally. This possibly earth-shattering news only led us to our knees (a position we are becoming well accustomed to), and only a few minutes later God brought M. J. herself into the auditorium! This was only a taste of what God was going to do, for the rest of rally went off without a hitch. Around a hundred students stopped in and seventy stayed for all three of M. J., Danny, and Amy's testimonies. I can't think of a greater witness to God's work than a changed life and these three certainly demonstrated changed lives in a powerful and bold way as they shared. I confess I'm not often tempted to shout "Amen" during a sermon, but I found myself itching to cheer after every sentence these students spoke as they proclaimed God's work in their own lives. Probably the most inspiring part was to hear Amy speak because we had worked the most with her prior to the rally helping her refine her testimony. We were impressed before with what she had to share, but as powerful as her "practice runs" were, they were nothing in comparison to what she said this afternoon. Her testimony displayed a clarity and power I could only attribute to the Holy Spirit. Praise God who changes lives and is moving to change more! As Danny said afterwards, this is only the foundation for what the club can do in the future. What can I say? We were all grinning ear to ear and I don't think a single one of us felt guilty for our unfair advantage.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
No Words
That "duuuude!" might need some explanation. For at least two of us on the HP team, tonight was the best of the whole week. We got to visit Amy and Danny's (the students sharing at the rally tomorrow) youth group. First off, it's a 250+ sized youth group at a church of around 600. Brandon, their youth pastor heard about what we were doing yesterday when they asked if they could share with the youth group. Immediately he was ridiculously excited about what CSP is doing. He told us he has been really wanting to make an impact on the schools that the youth attend, but has not been able to do much more than encouraging the youth to share with their friends at lunch.
After an amazing time of worship, complete with sweet action dancers and a crowd at the front rivaling small concerts, I, along with Amy, MJ and Danny were able to share with the whole youth group about what has been going on at Huntington Park High. After the service we set up a table with flyers showing what kinds of things we can help Bible clubs with, and sign-up sheets for any schools that want us to come in and help. We ended the night with EIGHT new schools that want our help and two colleges. We haven't ever worked with colleges before, but during the service, April nudged me and said, "wouldn't it be cool to do this is colleges too?" crazy, eh!
We were so blown away by the heart this church, and especially Brandon, has for the schools in the area. It is so apparent that God is working to bring light to these dark campuses. What else can we say to this but, "DUUUUDE!!!"
After an amazing time of worship, complete with sweet action dancers and a crowd at the front rivaling small concerts, I, along with Amy, MJ and Danny were able to share with the whole youth group about what has been going on at Huntington Park High. After the service we set up a table with flyers showing what kinds of things we can help Bible clubs with, and sign-up sheets for any schools that want us to come in and help. We ended the night with EIGHT new schools that want our help and two colleges. We haven't ever worked with colleges before, but during the service, April nudged me and said, "wouldn't it be cool to do this is colleges too?" crazy, eh!
We were so blown away by the heart this church, and especially Brandon, has for the schools in the area. It is so apparent that God is working to bring light to these dark campuses. What else can we say to this but, "DUUUUDE!!!"
Breakin it to the next level
Today God showed his faithfulness in a HUGE way. At Roosevelt we passed out over 500 fliers with the weeks schedule. Thursday we promised the students that we would have break dancers preforming in the quad. Last week we scheduled a group of Christian break dancers to come out to dance and share the gospel. This whole week they didn't answer or return our calls. We honestly called every other Christian ministry in LA trying to find a group of dancers. Last night (Wednesday) we still didn't have a group, but we decided to trust God that he would provide the dancers instead of trying to plan an alternate activity. At 12:15 last night I received a phone call from a group of Christian break dancers that said that they would love to come preform for us today!! We were so thankful for God's faithfulness. This morning while we were doing some prep work and Daniel got a phone call from a separate group of break dancers saying that they would love to come too. So today at lunch we roped off a section of the quad, laid down some linoleum, and watched as SEVEN break dancers did an amazing performance!!! At the end one of the dancers shared their faith. The students loved it!! After lunch I had an amazing conversation with the Dean of Students, who saw the performance. He informed me that a few of the students that were intently watching the whole time were the leaders and recruiters for the local gangs. The Dean of Students, Carlos Zubyk, said of the gang members, "[this rally] gives me an opportunity to go up to them and talk to them, and maybe we'll be friends." He is a very strong believer and shares about Christ with every student that steps foot in his office. Praise God for what he did today!!! May our day be a reminder that God will always come through for His children and will bring glory to himself in all things!! :)
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
everyone can have a second chance!
Wow! Do you ever have those moments when God just totally blesses you through the life of someone else? Well, that has happened to me this week over and over again. I am beyond impressed with the lives of the leaders of the Huddle Club: MJ, Amy, and Danny. They are the three students we have been working with this whole week at Huntington Park High School, helping them put on this "I Agree" campaign. They are probably some of the coolest high school students I have ever met.
To be honest, This week the Lord has totally changed my entire perspective of my role for this week. Without even realizing it, I had come into this week thinking I would help stir up these high school students, encouraging them in their walks with the Lord, and challenging them to take a firmer stand for Christ. But wow. I never expected to encounter three young people who loved the Lord as much as they do. Daily I am inspired by them. Daily I am challenged. Daily I am convicted at my lack of boldness for Christ...all through their own lives.
If you've ever stepped foot on a high school campus in Los Angeles you will know the incredibly hard mission field these students face on a daily basis. It is one thing for us to come in for a week, help them out, do evangelism and stand out as "outsiders" and then leave. We don't really face the persecution because we go home. But is another thing for them: They see these students every day for the entire year...and yet they still take a bold stand for Christ. As they have worn their "I Agree" shirts, they have had the chance to talk of God's saving power in their classes, they boldly walk up to their peers after school to do evangelism, they pass out tracks during school and at work, and have looked for every opportunity to make a difference. And they are so grateful for this campaign because it keeps opening more and more doors to share.
Where does this boldness come from? I have realized it is based in their wholehearted belief that the Gospel changes lives. As I have heard their testimonies, which they will be sharing with the school on Friday, and heard about the contrast from who they were before Christ and who they now are, I am amazed. God has changed their lives. All three live in non-Christian homes and have endured more than I can ever imagine. But beyond that, they want to share with their school of the drastic changes in their lives. They are sooo grateful for a second chance and can't but help to tell everyone in sight. They want to spare them from the hopelessness of the world and help them see the hope of Christ. Their life is a testimony for the Lord.
As I have spent time with them, I am challenged. I want to have the same passion and boldness. I want to have it flow out of me because I too see the power of Christ.
It's amazing how you can go on a trip thinking that you will help change the lives of the club members, and instead walk away changed yourself. I am changed by the lives of MJ, Amy, and Danny. I praise God for bringing them into my life. All I can say is that I too want to live sold out for Christ!
To be honest, This week the Lord has totally changed my entire perspective of my role for this week. Without even realizing it, I had come into this week thinking I would help stir up these high school students, encouraging them in their walks with the Lord, and challenging them to take a firmer stand for Christ. But wow. I never expected to encounter three young people who loved the Lord as much as they do. Daily I am inspired by them. Daily I am challenged. Daily I am convicted at my lack of boldness for Christ...all through their own lives.
If you've ever stepped foot on a high school campus in Los Angeles you will know the incredibly hard mission field these students face on a daily basis. It is one thing for us to come in for a week, help them out, do evangelism and stand out as "outsiders" and then leave. We don't really face the persecution because we go home. But is another thing for them: They see these students every day for the entire year...and yet they still take a bold stand for Christ. As they have worn their "I Agree" shirts, they have had the chance to talk of God's saving power in their classes, they boldly walk up to their peers after school to do evangelism, they pass out tracks during school and at work, and have looked for every opportunity to make a difference. And they are so grateful for this campaign because it keeps opening more and more doors to share.
Where does this boldness come from? I have realized it is based in their wholehearted belief that the Gospel changes lives. As I have heard their testimonies, which they will be sharing with the school on Friday, and heard about the contrast from who they were before Christ and who they now are, I am amazed. God has changed their lives. All three live in non-Christian homes and have endured more than I can ever imagine. But beyond that, they want to share with their school of the drastic changes in their lives. They are sooo grateful for a second chance and can't but help to tell everyone in sight. They want to spare them from the hopelessness of the world and help them see the hope of Christ. Their life is a testimony for the Lord.
As I have spent time with them, I am challenged. I want to have the same passion and boldness. I want to have it flow out of me because I too see the power of Christ.
It's amazing how you can go on a trip thinking that you will help change the lives of the club members, and instead walk away changed yourself. I am changed by the lives of MJ, Amy, and Danny. I praise God for bringing them into my life. All I can say is that I too want to live sold out for Christ!
Monday, January 8, 2007
We need back up
I love sharing the gospel, and here's one reason why: today I got to pray with two honestly amazing kids to receive Christ.
After a very long day that started with a 5 am wake-up for 6:30 donut and milk giveaway to Roosevelt High School students, the 5 God-loving members of the RHS team and myself met up with 3 members of the Boyle Heights Community Center to share the gospel with whatever students God put before us. I paired off with a 71-year old Roosevelt Alum named Blue Sky; he was a big talker, and an advocate for the neighborhood and the Projects in East LA. As we started walking and talking, I had my eye on two guys standing in the corner of the Quad.
Blue Sky and I walked up to Mike and Andrew and asked how they were. Without looking around or even changing position, they started talking to us; Blue Sky later said it was almost as if they were waiting for us. Both of them are graduating in June. Andrew plans on going to Santa Monica College for the first two years with the ultimate goal of coming back to be a teacher at Roosevelt. Mike has applied to Cal State LA and wants to do something medical - either a nurse or paramedic. Both of them want to make a difference and help people. This coming from a school with 5,000+ students and a 60% drop-out rate; two students with definite plans, not merely for success, but legitimately to help people. In fact, both kids said their main goal in life was to help people. I was amazed.
These were obviously exceptionally well-grounded kids. Their plans were solid and goals noble. I asked them how they planned on keeping that up - because I know I'd fall on my butt if I tried to do something half that good on my own power. I asked if I could tell them what I'd learned about the power of Christ to help me accomplish my goals - they said yes, and so I did. Both of them were Catholic but had never thought of God as personal. The idea of a relationship with Christ that would lead them through life and help them live above themselves was something they wanted, and both prayed the sinner's prayer to begin it. When I asked them if they'd meant it, I'd never seen more sincere, earnest kids on a high school campus.
Praise god, and Pray that more like them come to know Him. There are two more members of the family today, and they're liable to be dangerous.
After a very long day that started with a 5 am wake-up for 6:30 donut and milk giveaway to Roosevelt High School students, the 5 God-loving members of the RHS team and myself met up with 3 members of the Boyle Heights Community Center to share the gospel with whatever students God put before us. I paired off with a 71-year old Roosevelt Alum named Blue Sky; he was a big talker, and an advocate for the neighborhood and the Projects in East LA. As we started walking and talking, I had my eye on two guys standing in the corner of the Quad.
Blue Sky and I walked up to Mike and Andrew and asked how they were. Without looking around or even changing position, they started talking to us; Blue Sky later said it was almost as if they were waiting for us. Both of them are graduating in June. Andrew plans on going to Santa Monica College for the first two years with the ultimate goal of coming back to be a teacher at Roosevelt. Mike has applied to Cal State LA and wants to do something medical - either a nurse or paramedic. Both of them want to make a difference and help people. This coming from a school with 5,000+ students and a 60% drop-out rate; two students with definite plans, not merely for success, but legitimately to help people. In fact, both kids said their main goal in life was to help people. I was amazed.
These were obviously exceptionally well-grounded kids. Their plans were solid and goals noble. I asked them how they planned on keeping that up - because I know I'd fall on my butt if I tried to do something half that good on my own power. I asked if I could tell them what I'd learned about the power of Christ to help me accomplish my goals - they said yes, and so I did. Both of them were Catholic but had never thought of God as personal. The idea of a relationship with Christ that would lead them through life and help them live above themselves was something they wanted, and both prayed the sinner's prayer to begin it. When I asked them if they'd meant it, I'd never seen more sincere, earnest kids on a high school campus.
Praise god, and Pray that more like them come to know Him. There are two more members of the family today, and they're liable to be dangerous.
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