Moved by Manuel

Last Friday evening (May 19th, I went to Pandora Gilboa's High School graduation. Near the end of the ceremony, Manuel Bartsch spoke. If you live in Northwest Ohio, you know that Manuel was arrested around Christmas for being an illegal alien. My comments about Manuel do not revolve around that issue, but around what he said at graduation. Manuel shared how he lacked strong family ties and was a trouble maker. It wasn't until a substitute teacher told him that he needed to shape up that his life took a turn for the better. I was moved by Manuel's story. I was also convicted. I wonder if anyone else felt convicted? Did any adult or student who follows Jesus know about Manuel's story? Where was the Jesus family? Why didn't we reach out to Manuel? Now it's quite possible that someone or some group did that. I'm just not aware of. But the story reinforces the need for the Jesus family to keep their eyes open for needs right around us. We need to be Jesus when He saw the need in individual people. I like what the Gospel writer Luke says in chapter 7:13..."And when the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her..." Note the progression- "saw her." Lord, help me to see! "Felt compassion." Lord, help me to have a heart for people that move me. "Said to her." Lord, help me to be lead to action; to make my faith a verb. After graduation, I prayed on the way home to have the eyes Jesus has for teens in need. May this be your prayer too! These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"

The Last Breakfast

Today we had the last BHS Campus Life Breakfast Club of this school year. How great it was to have 46 students and 10 adult helpers enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast. After a few chocolate chip or strawberry pancakes, three seniors shared their faith relationship with Jesus. After each senior shares, another student places their hands on the senior and prays for them. Often the prayer centers around the senior staying close to Jesus and being used by Him. Their prayers reminded me of the Apostle Paul and his prayer for the Philippian followers of Jesus.."I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus...And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." -Philippians 1:3-6; 9-11.
I couldn't pray a better prayer. So this is my prayer for the seniors who follow Jesus. May each one of you grow to love Jesus and others more and more each day. Love you!!!
These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"

Journey To Maturity

As adolescents journey towards adulthood, what challeges do they face? How do we who love and care for young people know they are maturing as the Lord would want them to? Also, if you're a teen, you can use this to evaluate how you are doing. The following are six key areas that all adolescents have to journey through.
1. Lack of knowledge and wisdom. Often teens think thay are smarter than they really are.
After all, what do parents know? On the journey, be teachable.
2. Push the rules. Young people will go to right up to the"fence" of rules, or even go over the "fence"maintaining they are still in the "yard." Know what behaviors are expected and show some discipline.
3. Tendency to be unwise in the choices of friends. The need to belong is huge. Be a picky picker when it comes to who you hang with. Friends are like elevators, they'll either take you up or they"ll take you down. Choose wisely.
4. Susceptible to sexual pressures. Hormones are going full tilt. Need for accountability and discipline.
5. Present focused. Tomorrow seems so far away. Need to learn the art of delayed gratification.
6. So many hungers and thirsts. What are my wants? Need to hunger and thirst for Jesus.

Wow!! So there it is! We must remember that chronological age does not equal maturity. In the movie "Sideways" we have adults who are stuck in immaturity.
Want to know more? This Monday, May 22nd at 7 pm. At the Bluffton Campus Life Room, we're going to explore adolescent development. We'll watch a PBS Frontline production called "The Merchants of Cool." We''ll also address how we can be a positive influence in growing kids to maturity. If you love kids, this will be beneficial to you. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"

How Best To Eat

I appreciate the comments Stephen made about the neccesity in reading and studying the Bible. (read his post at "My Best Friend) We need to ask ourselves, how do we best read, understand, and apply the Scriptures to our lives. Stephen used the Biblical metaphors of moving from babies milk to solid food, or my analogy of a steak at Outback. Acts 2:42a says, "They devoted themselves to the Apostle's teaching and to the fellowship..." Of course, the teaching was in its early form since the church was now just beginning. But they were learning together. Sociologists and others who study youth culture are saying that youth today are looking for local connections and a global commitment. Or in their terms being "glocal." This is a major shift of the individualism (I did it my way; the Marlboro Man) and if you went beyond yourself to nationalism of recent generations. So it looks like today's young people want to learn in the context of community. When you think about it, followers of Jesus had to do this for centuries. You had very few copies of the Scriptures. It wouldn't be until the 1400's and the printing press that Scriptures became available to more people. The Bible verse in Acts 2:42 stresses it was "they," "themselves," and the "fellowship" where they lived out the Scriptures. Yes, I believe each person has a responsibility to search the Scriptures, but I think more can be accomplished in the context of community. It reduces errors in interpretation, brings other points to light, and challenges a need to application. Wouldn't it be so neat if there was a group of high school or college students who wanted to meet everyday after school to learn the Scriptures. Hey, now that's an idea. Anybody up to the challenge? It would be so exciting! But it'll never happen. We're all too busy for community. Or maybe it's a matter of our priorities. Maybe those First Century followers of Jesus were on to something. Maybe that's why they could follow Jesus even if it meant their lives. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"

My Best Friend

In 1981, I met my best friend. I almost had to give him up because of health issues. You see, my best friend is a Bible I received back in 1981. This Bible is in failing health because its back is broken with pages crumpled and torn. Pat says I should get a new friend. But this old friend has so many notes and markings gathered over the years. It's well worn pages are familiar and I can find a verse quickly. I plan on keeping my friend for at least another year.
How's your Bible? Some of you may remember the days when you participated in Bible quizzing or "Sword" Drills. I think those days are over. This brings up what I think is becoming an issue in youth ministry. It seems like younger people don't like to read as much as they used to. Plus, if we're honest, the Bible can be a difficult book to understand and is rather lengthy. Even churches seem to require no Bible in your hand. The verses are placed on a screen for you to read. No page turning required. I certainly don't think just because you have the Biblical information that you have a transformed life for Jesus. But the incubation process begins with His word. So may you fall in love with a book, but not just a book. It's the Book! It tells us of our need for Jesus and how to live His Kingdom on earth. It's not just words, but words spoken in relationship to His children. Let this friend bring God's best out of your life. How's your friendship with this book? Tell me how you get into turning the pages. These are the days my friend!
Jim "Train"