Well, day two has come to a close. I’m calling it a night a bit earlier this evening.

The morning session felt pretty good. Got to spend time running around camp, visiting folks, and hanging out with friends this afternoon.

This evening felt a bit awkward, but I think it ended well. The band talked about feeling a bit of disconnect from the kids. I felt that too. But, in the end, God moved and worked in the lives of the students.

I was asked to extend an altar call this evening. In doing this, I felt a need to be sensitive and not try and force or manipulate any kind of desired response. I didn’t want to give a “do step one, step two, step three, and then you’re saved, recommitted, or just fine.” I wanted to create a time where students could just get honest with God…whether they came forward, stayed in their seats, or went to a prayer station. That may have been confusing for some…but, in the end, I think it all worked out.

We followed the altar call with communion. Now, this was weird for me. Students and leaders were prayring…as I walked out to move us towards communion a couple of kids came forward with their leader…and I just felt odd trying to close out the moment in order to move forward. So, a little of improvisation allowed us a bit more time…we ended up serving communion as some were still praying…and ended with a time of worship through song. I’ll probably suggest that they shift the order of communion and the altar call.

I’m looking forward to day three!

Well, it’s 11:57pm and I’m calling it a night!

Day one of That Thing is over.

Overall, I think it went okay. It was pretty nerve-racking. Those who know me could easily read the nerves. But, now that I have one general session under my belt, I’m feeling better about the whole thing…more relaxed.

Going into this evenings session, I had no idea what to expect. Let me just say that the media and atmosphere is pretty incredible. The worship band is great. There are lots of elements that make the worship experience truly unique.

I’m thrilled to have Emily and Sammie here with me. Sammie wanted out of the auditorium as soon as the band started. Too dark and too loud for her little three year old ears. Emily had to rush her out as she was screaming at the top of her lungs.

Hopefully we can work her into the session after the music is finished.

Keep praying for me!

Sunday at 8pm will be my first general session of That Thing. I’m pumped! I feel about as prepared as I can…going into something new like this! The week will be an incredible journey of helping people experience, accept, grow in, and live out the love of God.

For those of you who are the praying type, I invite you to pray for me throughout the week. We will have general sessions at 9:30am and 8pm each day (Thursday evenings general session will start at 7pm). I’d ask that you would pray for me each day at 9:30am and 8pm (7pm on Thursday). I’d ask that you pray that I would be sensitive to the guidance and leading of the Spirit. I ask that you pray that I would speak boldly when necessary and speak with grace when needed. I ask that you pray that I would have a clear focus in my speaking…that I would have clarity of mind, heart, soul, and strength. I ask that you would pray that I have the strength and energy needed.

I also ask that you would pray for the students, leaders, and staff who will be joining us for our general sessions. Pray that the students, leaders, and staff would experience an outpouring of God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace, hope, and joy. Pray that the students, leaders, and staff would experience an undeniable move of the Holy Spirit. Pray that the students, leaders, and staff would have open minds and open hearts. Pray that those who tend to take on a negative attitude would be filled with positivity and get on board with the program. Pray that those things that might distract all of us from experiencing what God desires would just fall aside.

Especially pray for Monday’s general sessions. Monday evening will be a service of communion and commitment. This will be an opportunity for students, leaders, and staff to say, “Yes, Lord, I am yours”…whether for the first time or in order to restore relationships with God.

Also pray that all of the events of That Thing (cabin interactions and devotions, daily activities and events) would help draw students, leaders, and staff closer to God and one another.

Thank you for your prayers!

It’s Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:03pm and I’m just sitting down to type my July newsletter article (which was due on June 20^th). The last few weeks have been a bit hectic. Emily, Sammie, and I have been in-and-out of town throughout the month for family and school obligations. This past week was filled with great joy as Sammie participated in her first Vacation Bible School (what a blast)! And, I’ve been scrambling in the midst of all of this to get my notes together for That Thing (our senior high camping ministry), as I will be preaching 9 times in 5 days during the week of July 5^th! In all honesty, I’m desperately attempting to put something on paper so that Joyce can run the newsletter tomorrow. And then…it happens.

At 11:05pm, the phone rings. I look at the caller ID and it’s one of my best friends in the world. Given that he is married and has two children, I know that he understands that phone calls after 9pm should be of the emergency nature. So, I answered with the expectation that I would hear about something horrible that happened to one of our closest friends.

Thankfully, that was not the case. Instead, it became quickly apparent that my friend just needed to vent. He had just finished helping lead a worship service where 200 senior high students either committed or re-committed their lives to Jesus Christ. He told me about the amazing power of the Holy Spirit working throughout the worship experience. He told me about the passionate worship and the excellent preaching that took place (he wasn’t bragging…he was the emcee…not the preacher). He spoke of how amazing the sacrament of Holy Communion had been. I know this doesn’t sound like venting, but stick with me.

Every thing was absolutely amazing and he was praising God and thanking Him for allowing him to play a part in such a powerful God moment. As my friend made his way out of the auditorium, he ran into another one of our old friends who we’ll call “Mr. Negativity.”

Mr. Negativity decided that every thing that happened in the auditorium was “wrong…all wrong.” My friend asked Mr. Negativity to explain. Mr. Negativity went on to moan and groan about one minor detail that he observed during Communion. He was upset about who was on the stage and who was not on stage. My good friend said, “Really? Did you just witness the same thing I did? Because if you did, a minor detail like that would be the last thing on your mind.” However, Mr. Negativity decided he needed to really let my friend know how upset he was and he went on for over an hour with his complaints.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in what we’re missing that we fail to realize the positive things that are taking place in our midst. We focus on what is not happening that we totally miss the God-moment occurring right before us. And, I’ve got to be honest. I don’t really think we need any more from Mr. Negativity.

In Hebrews 10:24, the writer reminds us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” He doesn’t call us to point out what we’re not doing. He tells us to be an encouragement to one another.

We all may have a tendency to lean towards becoming a Mr. or Mrs. Negativity. Paul would remind us to “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice…Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:4, 8).

Mr. Negativity made a decision to focus on what wasn’t happening. He made a choice to focus on the minor detail that just happened to go wrong. It’s my considered opinion that he should have been focusing on the 200 kids whose lives have been forever changed. It is my hope and prayer that each of us can “fix our thoughts on what is true and honorable and right.”

If you had one week to speak to high school students, what would you say to them?

That Thing is rapidly approaching! It’s an honor and a privilege to have been invited to speak to senior high students for a week. The big question is, “What do I say?”

The goal is to challenge, encourage, motivate, and inspire our students to live out their faith. Rather than viewing their faith as something passive where they simply attend church services and Bible studies, the desire is to help them develop a faith that is active. We want to help build up a generation of students who take seriously the call to “love God and love your neighbor as yourself.” 

I’ve been having a great week focusing in on the journey. So far, it’s been more helpful to plan the messages together, as a whole, instead of compartmentalizing every message.

I’ve been challenged and inspired throughout the time of preparation. There have been moments when I’ve been tempted to add in an unnecessary joke or story because the students might think I’m funny. But, they won’t be fooled. And, the end goal isn’t to get a bunch of high school kids to approve of me.

I’d invite you to pray for me…during the preparations and during the week of camp (July 5-10). Ask that God would speak to and through me. Also, pray for the students. Ask that God would open their hearts and minds to receive whatever it is that He has in store for them.