Third Lane Youth

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-P.A.

I guess it all starts really last year, when P. Lee gave the challenge to hike to raise money for Speed The Light. Walking, 26 or so miles for STL sounds great but not to a Philly boy like my self. Last year it was only open to youth pastors to raise the money, I had something scheduled that weekend, and trust me, I wasn't going to reschedule anything to go walking, especially that long of a hike. Move forward to Sectional Fine Arts, when they showed a promo video for this year?s walk using a cool trailer style that featured footage from last year?s walk. I felt bad that I wasn't in that video. It looked like a lot of fun and empowering. There was something new to this year's walk, it was open to students to walk with their youth leaders. Surprising, was that there was a strong interest from the students of TLY and even some key Royal Rangers types. 

I can't say no to a student who wants to raise money for a good cause, especially STL. I was ready but not ready. Even up until the night before the walk I didn't know how I would fair on the Appalachian Trail, I was really nervous and probably drove Marisa nuts. I thank God for the group that we had, great leaders, and our experienced trail guides, RR Commanders Scott and Tony. Once I got walking, I really enjoyed it. The sounds of nature, like rushing water, birds chirping, the wind blowing through the trees and leaves. Although, not all sounds were particularly encouraging to hear. Listening to gun shots of people hunting (I hope) was a little unnerving. I mean I hear gunshots in Philly but not like that..jk jk. It was so moving to hear God's creation, I mean, some people pay money to have these sounds on a CD to listen in the confines of an A/C office. 

There were times when the leaders could drive the van to the next check point to meet the students with supplies and refreshments. I only drove once, because I really got addicted to seeing the sights, talking with students, and doing something that required some physical energy. There is a sense of pride that you can't get from playing a video game or watching a movie, but accomplishing a task like this two day hike; you can.

It is so important to do something active.

It is so important to do something bigger than yourself.

It is so important to do something that you can never see yourself doing.

I want to say a special Thank You to the TLY students who rocked this trail and a HUGE Thank you to the RR commanders who were ready. Job well done.

Prom and graduation season is beginning to hit its stride. Students looking their best as they get ready for a memorable evening with friends as another school year comes to a close. For others, the end of the year marks the end of four years that seemed to fly by and the nerves of ?what comes next?? begin to settle in. What college will college will I go to? How far away is too far? How far is too far to come back on the weekend and have Mom do my laundry? The most obvious question that many ask as they look back at the year is ?did I do my best?? - A very valid question. It is always wise to approach each class and each subject with hard work, long hours of studying, and lots of Red Bull. A thought that may be over-looked but is very important to ask yourself is ?What kind of influence did I make?? More than getting A?s, scoring the last second goal, or nailing the last second goal, or nailing your French Horn solo in the school musical, what will your classmates remember about you?: your actions. Were you positive about your teachers and classmates, or did you get caught up in the drama? Did you get involved in community projects and random acts of kindness or did you just do as little as you could to get by. Campus Missionaries is a great idea, but we need to get creative about spreading the hope that is in Jesus. I am reminded of a well-timed, powerful, and brief commencement speech at Washington Community High School in Peoria, Illinois. The auditorium was filled with 92 graduating students, teary-eyed moms and dads, and other family and friends giving their support. The service was moving on in typical public high school fashion. However, there will be no prayer to bless the students as they move on because of a recent court order. There were well thought out speeches and encouraging words by students and faculty, but no one received a standing ovation; that was until the last student took the podium. The student gave his speech as normal but once he approached the end, he paused and all 92 students sneezed in unison! The student on the stage proudly took the microphone and said ?God Bless You, each and ever one of you!? And as he left the stage, (with smile to himself) the crowd erupted in a standing ovation. These students found a way to be creative and influence this ceremony with God?s blessing even if the courts ruled otherwise. May you be creative, may you be courageous, may you influence be an influencer.

This generation is blessed.  America is blessed.   Today’s young people have music, movies, clothes, and practically any material-possession just a finger click away.  This generation has the best technology, the best food; the best of pretty much anything.  A famous Pop Star sings, “And I am a weapon of massive consumption, it’s not my fault it’s how I’m programmed to function.”  It’s good to be an American, but is something missing?  This generation is at a crossroads between living in blessing or being a blessing.   When you can have pretty much every need met what is there left to do?  There are 1 billion people in the world who do not have clean water.  There are 1 billion people in world who live on less than a $1 a day.  We spend that much for one song on iTunes.  Experts say that it would take around $20 billion to provide water, basic health and nutrition for everyone in world.  That may sound like a lot of money, but $20 billion is what America spends on ice cream every year!  There are 800 million people who will not eat today and 30,000 children dying every day because of a lack of food.  Something has to change.  Experts also say that this generation could actually end extreme poverty.  I believe that this generation can be a cause of change.  I believe that this generation will not just talk about Jesus to the hurting, the hopeless, and the hungry but will be Jesus to those in need. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father…For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these of mine, you did for me.'(Matt 25:34-40 NIV).  The Cause is simple: How can you bless others as Jesus has blessed you.

Momentum

It can change the course of game.

It can propel a vehicle to move even faster.

With enough of it, momentum can break down walls.

It seems as if our lives have a certain rhythm of highs and lows that can make each year feel like a rollercoaster ride.  There is nothing like riding a high where anything is possible, but then something happens, and you just crash.  You lost momentum.    Our spiritual lives act in a similar way.   When we have the moment with God that changes our lives, be rest assured that the enemy will be there to knock the spiritual wind out of your sails.  In those moments of defeat, do not give up.  The Holy Spirit is the one who can change the tide and bring the momentum back with furry of wind and fire.   It was the Holy Spirit that enabled Peter to go from denying Jesus to standing up for Jesus.  It was the Holy Spirit that took a murderer named Saul, and transformed him into a missionary named Paul.  It was the Holy Spirit that empowered the disciples from spreading the gospel in one city to witnessing to the ends of the earth.  ?But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth?Acts 1:8 NLT.?  The Holy Spirit gives you power, the Holy Spirit gives you the momentum to change your life- change the world.

I have been researching the word identity, and it has a lot of definitions. One definition that stuck out to me was, "Serving to establish who the holder, owner, or wearer is by bearing their name and often other details such as a signature or photograph." When people think of identity the tendency is to base it on what you do, and not on who you are. I am an artist, a student, a musician, a jock, a waitress..etc. When we go back to the definition of identity, who we are must be based on who He is. Holder, "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes HOLD of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isa 41:13." Owner, "You were BOUGHT at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Cor 6:20." Wearer, "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have CLOTHED yourselves with Christ. Gal 3:27." Signature, "Having believed, you were MARKED in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Eph 1:13" Photograph "So God created human beings in his own IMAGE. Gen 1:27" Relationships deal more with You and God, and less of You and others. This month discover who He is, and who you were made to be; your identity.