To Camp

It was night and fire side had just started. Kids were still coming down from the "Tab" in groups of 3's and 4's, slowly and with a glaze in the eye. Then a voice came from the top of the hill screaming above the rest, "I did it! I did it!" Bonding down in the energy only a middle schooler has, she threw herself into the arms of her councilor. They stayed like that for nearly the rest of the night, attached at the hip smiling and laughing. This is the joy I live for as a Campus Life director. Years of relationship build and set in a joy that Christ brings. I am looking forward to this next week.

It is dangerous to step out from your door

"Journey over all the universe in a map, without the expense and fatigue of traveling, without suffering the inconveniences of heat, cold, hunger, and thirst."

Miguel de Cervantes

The 5 Essentials of Fruitful and Sustainable Ministry Sites

We have a new list at YFC. This is a list that reflects missional ministry. I can dig this. Here it is:

Widespread Prayer-
We deliberately engage lots of Christians to intercede on behalf of the ministry site. (What is life or ministry w/o any prayer? My own work.)

Loving Relationships-
We consistently pursue lost kids and engage them in lifelong relationships with Jesus. (This is the drug, the hook, the reason)

Faithful Bible Teaching-
We accurately handle biblical truth, regularly coaching kids to apply it in their lives. (Or apply their lives to the teachings of God in the bible)

Collaborative Community Strategy-
We intentionally work together with local churches, agencies and other partners to provide sustainable youth family ministry. (God calls out those people. Can we encourage them?)

Adults Who Empower-
We strategically develop leaders to reach young people from every people group. (Indeed, no more lone rangers in youth ministry)

What is free

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.
-Thoreau

Wednesday morning must mean

Forza

It is LKWD MMA staff meeting. We laugh, cry and get hopped up on wifi and bottomless coffee.

I am thinking that this summer, we will go on a tour of the coffee shops in the Greater Tacoma area for fun and a hard won addiction. Starting in July, Mondays will be Shoppe day.

On the Rood to Mississippi

I am prepairing to follow the cloud left by the twin sisters, Katrina and Rita. I mentioned several posts ago that I am working with Deaf Teen Quest. It is a group of people who specialize in working with Deaf/Hard of Hearing students. AS part of my training that I have set for myself, I am going on the mission trip that was scheduled for Pascagoula, MS. I am going to look and listen to the people I am asked to serve. As much as I can tell this will be a pilgrimage for myself as much as it will be missions. And that is where I am wrestling, pilgrimage/short term missions. Is there a difference between the two or are they the same thing in concept? I tend to believe they are the same thing.

Here are two stones in my shoes that are making my walk uncomfortable: Matt 11:28 and Matt 16:24. The yoke and the cross.

Worship site

I have mentioned in the past that I like to spent time at coffee shops. Now that I have a spy camera in my phone I am able to show you one of the many places I frequent. (Please excuse the poor quality, it is a camera in a phone) This is a picture of the Cutter's Point sign. There are several CP in Tacoma, this one is on Pacific next to UWT. It is five minutes from the main YFC office. I ususally go ultra wireless on tuesday mornings (book only) spending time in quiet meditation with a cup of black sunshine.

So much energy

I would like to spend some of it on doing something. I have finally learned the names of my neighbors. There has been too much food on my plate and my stomach is full and distended. It is time to digest.

Until then here is a picture of my suburbia.