As many of you know I have a crazy, goofy, random, side but I still forget how to have fun some times. Today I was out raking leaves in the front yard, and having a debate with myself about whether or not I should jump in the leaf pile when I was done. I live in a down town area so I was a little self conscious about jumping in a leaf pile by myself on the roadside. What would people think? After looking around and making sure no one was watching I took a huge jump, right into the middle of all the leaves.I was almost completely buried! It was hilarious and I came out laughing, only to see an older man watching me with questions in his eyes as he walked by. I started brushing the leaves off myself & mumbled some comment about how you have to have fun while you work. He said he had never seen anyone so happy before to rake leaves. As I picked all the leaves out of my hair and walked back into the house I realized how sad we both were. I had to debate whether or not to have innocent fun because it was so child like and the old man didn't understand. Then I realized who was better off- I was. I was the one with the smile on my face and a spring in my step, and the man still had a frown. Now I wonder, how many of the simple joys of life do we miss because of what we think people will think of us? Let me encourage you to let your hair down & go find a leaf pile to jump in! The colors, the smells, the beauty, God created all things for us to enjoy - so to use the clique "stop & smell the roses today"!
Random thoughts onTruth from a youth leader's persective
What is Truth? That question has been haunting peoples since time began. In John 18:38 Pilate is questioning Jesus and he asks Him, what is truth? Jesus' answer is incredible "You rightly say that I am a king, For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the Truth hears My voice." Jesus came to bear witness of the truth! He is truth. For He says "I am the Way the Truth and the Life..." John 16:13 says "However, when the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." The Father, Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit are the finally authority on truth!
In this day and age where the majority of people think that truth is relative, we know that it is not! Jesus is truth. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8) In our fast paced culture of high speed technology and constant change it is so important for our teens to have something that never changes. And that something is Truth. Truth is absolute! Without a starting point or basis for making decisions and living life, people will flounder. It's no wonder that our teens are confused and are making poor choices when they are told that everyone has their own "truth" or purpose for living.
What you think or believe that "Truth" is affects every part of your life from what you believe to how you live. The more that I work with teenagers the more I realize that they are going to make their own decision's. We can be there to help them along the way but we can't choose for them. So I think the best thing I can do for my kids (myself or anyone) is to provide them the tools they need to make those decisions. So often people come to me with the question " what should I do in this situation...." the questions vary but the underling theme in all of the questions is what right or what is wrong here? That's what they really want to know! So I think going back to the very beginning is so important! What is truth and how do we find that out? Truth is the very character of Jesus Christ.... He is life and the rest is just details!
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