Tonight was our first youth gathering since camp. Instead of a regular meeting at the highschool, we met at the waterfront park. I lost count, but I think there were over 20 students baptized.
The message tonight was from our junior high director, Kylie. She shared the simple message that Jesus gave his disciples before returning to Heaven. "Go and make disciples." (Matt 28:19)
So simple. So deep. So sweet.
It's who we are as followers of Jesus. We are called to be disciple-makers. We are commissioned as leaders. We are to point others to follow Jesus. We are to live in a way that they see Jesus by copying us.
This morning I got to have coffee with a friend preparing to leave for college soon. At one season, I was a leader in her life. I guess that kind of made her my disciple. Hearing the choices she is making, choices that bring God glory, blessed my heart so deeply this morning.
This afternoon I was blessed to lead a prayer meeting with our youth staff and summer youth apprentices. Challenging student leaders to step out of their comfort zone, I heard warriors pray to our God without abandon. A student that is dear to my heart prayed over the entire congregation tonight, "We ask you, God, to bring Heaven to Kitsap." Yes! This is the vision, the dream, the mission.
This evening, I sat with a dear friend and former disciple during the gathering. I can't wait to ask her to join me in leading a discipleship group next year for senior girls. Trinity will become a phenomenal leader as God works through her.
And the reason that disciplers need extra shorts...
Tonight I was honored to baptize two students: Tim and Chasen. They are stepping out, going public with their faith. In front of their friends, family, and church, they proclaimed today that they belong to God and choose to follow Him. The water was COLD, but baptism is such an honor. I am excited to see how God continues to shape their stories. There were six of us in the water baptizing each of them. This is our family, our tribe. This is disciple-making in action.
Thank you to Ryan & Katie Kanzler for having an extra pair of shorts, and for holding my watch, car keys and cell phone. Nobody does the mission alone.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Tears in eyes. YOU have such a vibrant love for the King of kings.
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