Mature Youth

I had an opportunity to meet with a group of people this past weekend talking about youth ministry. They had 2 youth as part of the group.

What was great was how aware of spiritual development the youth were in that group. They knew that some kids may not come to a youth group if it's too much about faith. They knew that some kids are more into their faith than others. They knew that a church should have a youth program rooted in faith.

I saw God at work there - they're aware of God's presence.

"When did we see you homeless?"

There is a retired minister in our congregation with an amazing passion. His love for God, following Jesus, loving others - is clear. His passion for social justice is played out with housing issues here in the metro area, and elsewhere.

Tonight, he brought to the church council meeting, an opportunity for the church to support an alliance of many organizations statewide - that are in favor of legislation that will raise new funds to do more to help alleviate the housing crisis in Minnesota.

This brought out a wonderful discussion amongst those gathered there tonight - representatives of several of the committees of the church who gather every other month to further the ministry of the church, sharing things that are happening and coordinating the business of the church. Not legal, daily business - but rather, ministry business. Programs and such.

We spent some time sharing viewpoints and facing the issue before us. Clearly a social justice issue and a solution - or at least an aid - to the issue. Discussion was held around should the church support something political without the entire congregation sharing in that decision. It's legal - it's not a partisan issue - and something needs to be done. Pros and cons and other options were presented.

In the end - without any anger, disrespect, or bad feelings - the council decided to speak for the church and support the legislation.

How did I see God? I heard powerful words - that this is an opportunity to take action on something that we are called to do. I saw care for others feelings, both on the council and for the congregation - what if someone in the church doesn't support this surcharge?

But most of all - I saw a group of people see Jesus homeless, and they took a step towards giving him a home.

Are you sure these are 4th-6th Graders?

Tonight - I stopped by to visit the 4th to 6th grade class that's part of our Wednesday program.

They were having a discussion about God. Not just any "God loves you" discussion - but an in depth, heart of who God is - discussion.

The teacher is talking about prayer with them, and was talking about how you can't alter God.

Suddenly there are questions that are very, very deep and thought out.

Questions about "if we worship God using the cross - can the cross become an idol?" and talking about if you can destroy God - by destroying the "ideal of God." That is - if someone were to wipe out all remnants of God, and/or all people who believe in God - would that destroy God.

These were amazing questions. AMAZING.

And here I thought 4th-6th graders want to play games!

okay - so maybe I didn't see God there - but I saw faith. Kids with faith and learning about that faith and who God is.

He Gets It!

The Worship Chair for the youth group choir our church has, tonight led devotions after rehearsal. He had attended the Youth Council meeting this week and saw a different style of devotions - one not from scripture - but rather sharing a story from the week.

When devotions time came up, he mentioned that experience. He said "So, for devotions tonight I want people to share a time they saw God this week." He explained that it could be in a person, or some time you "felt" God.

That was cool. He gets it. He understands that God is bigger than the Bible. God is bigger than what we, as humans, make God to be.

I think he gets it.

The Air I Breathe

Another moment of God at work at JUMYS...

This is one of those that I've come to recognize more easily now. I don't know if it's truly God or my reaction - but my faith and past experience says... it's God.

One of my favorite "praise and worship" songs is "This is the Air I Breathe." Now I'm not usually a fan of praise and worship songs. I like the style of music - no doubt there... but I usually don't agree theologically. Am I some great theologian? No - but it's not what I grew up - and they either leave me going "huh?" or feeling like I'm missing something.

This song does not do that. This song moves me almost every time.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living, in me.

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm lost without you.

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me.

And I, I'm desperate for you
And I, I'm lost without you.

This is the air I breathe.

So, we've just had communion and I'm starting my prayer... "Lord, please fill me up and let me know of your presence..." and I hear "This is the air I breathe..." start up.

That causes me to stop my prayer, open my eyes, and look up to see God.

God Sightings - 11.04.06

I'm at a statewide gathering of Junior High Youth. One would think I would see God here right?

Well, yeah - you're right.

I went to a workshop with my youth group boys today. Bridging the Gap from Jr. Hi to Sr. Hi. One of the persons leading it? A Senior High youth. This kid was great. He led discussion well (a little quiet - but good job.) He engaged with each kid in the circle, he answered questions - and he did it openly and honestly. He said he'd be one of the kids on the sideline at home and school - the quiet ones with the hood on.

Yet today - he earned the respect of those kids today. It was good - he brought the message home.

I saw God in that kid today.

Welcome!

This blog is here to share moments, places, or people where I saw God.

I believe that many people do not have a belief in God because when people tell them who God is, or what God is like - that does not fit their belief or view about who God would be.

I believe that many people have a belief in a higher being or spirit, but because of past experiences with or in the church - they either don't believe it to be, or won't call it God.

I think it is. I think God is bigger than any of us can describe or even imagine. I think God is made known to us in many, many ways.

I hope to share on this blog some of those times I've seen God. Maybe it was through someone, or I felt God's presence at a certain place, or God at work at a certain time.

I'll share that with you. And together - maybe we'll see God.