Day 15: My 21 Day Journal

This week, a bunch of students are on a missions trip to the St. Louis Dream Center.  I'm SO excited for them! I had planned to go earlier in the summer, but I've given a lot of time to ministry, so I decided that it was important to give this month to my family.  Keeping the balance...

So while they're there, I'm praying some very specific things for them.  First of all, I'm praying that they are able to have a supernatural impact on lives of people who are in need of Christ.  I pray that the work they do will have ETERNAL significance.

The second thing I'm praying is that they will have another awakening in their spirit to the purpose that God has for them.  Some of them (not just the students; adults too) went down there with some big issues in life.  There are some struggles and distractions that have been sucking the passion out of their spiritual lives.  So I'm praying that they get a renewed focus on what's important, and continue to seek God about what He has in store for them.  He has a plan...but we have to seek Him and His Kingdom first...then He will add those other things that we want to know about.  "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you."  Easy to memorize - difficult to live out.

Day 14: My 21 Day Journal

Can you still walk away?

Sadly, over the years of being actively involved in church leadership, I've seen too many people that I thought were committed followers of Christ just walk away from Him.  They didn't just leave our church...they turned back to their old life.  I'm always bewildered and heartbroken by that.  It begs the question - "Did they really KNOW Him?"  "Had they truly repented?"

Ultimately only God knows that.  But I do believe that when you dive deeply into being a disciple of Jesus Christ - there is no turning back for you.  Like Peter said in John 6:68, Lord, where are we going to go (my paraphrase)? Only You have the words of eternal life.  When you have that AHA moment and realize what Christ has rescued you from, you are forever changed.  Salvation results from that revelation...and a deep love that grows in your heart out of that understanding.  Once you get there, I don't think you can pretend like it never happened.  So my theory...most of those people never quite got there.  Only my theory.  God only knows.

Day 13: My 21 Day Journal

What does God expect from me?

Have you ever asked yourself that question?  I think we unconsciously live out our answers, but we don't really think it through.  I think we feel lots of guilt when we sin because we think that our performance is what impresses God.  I think we go to church because we think He has a big clipboard and is keeping track.  We give $2 in the STL offering because then at least people see us participating - and it's better than nothing, right?

But what is God really looking for from us?  Why should we strive to do what's right?  Why should we discipline ourselves to go to church and meet with other believers?  Why should we personally sacrifice so that others can hear the Gospel of Jesus?

Day 12: My 21 Day Journal

The Secret Place...

Everyone has one.  Even God has one.  To me, it's the place where I escape the world to be alone in God's presence.  It's a place of conversation, meditation, reading, resting, worship, humility, listening, weeping, pursuing, adoring, waiting, seeking, passion, practicing, soul-searching, understanding, asking, and dying.

Day 11: My 21 Day Journal

This is harder than it looks. I think the pre-printed reflection questions would definitely be helpful. :o) Okay - enough excuses. I'll catch up...

I just had my two nephews stay with me for a week. They are 7 and 9 years of age. They are boys, therefore they are energetic, creative, and excitable.  That's a gentle way of saying hyperactive, bored easily, and sometimes combative with each other.  LOL  I already knew that before they came...my purpose was to bless my sister and her husband. They have a special needs daughter who requires very intensive and consistent care, and it definitely puts stress on their family life and marriage.  So we gave them a gift of a week of relaxation.  They arranged for extra nursing care and had a fantastic week.

So I KNEW the challenge was coming.  I was going to have to CHOOSE to be patient and try to prevent problems before they arose.  I mentally geared myself up for it the week before.  And everything went really smooth!  I was with my kids and my nephews all day Thursday and Friday - entertaining them - and by Friday evening, I was worn out.  :o)  But we had a lot of fun, I felt closer to them, and it was all worth it.

What would have happened if I hadn't prepared myself?  I would have been surprised and frustrated by the little conflicts that come up.  I would have been annoyed by the messes that were made.  I would have not had any ideas how to keep them busy and they would have been in more mischief.  I would have probably gotten crabby at everyone else because of all those things.  So our house would have been in chaos, we would have been irritable with each other, and the boys would probably not wanna come back.

Preparing yourself for difficulties that lie ahead (and there ALWAYS are some) is always worth the effort, and saves you a great deal of pain.  So take that approach in your spiritual life too.  What may change?

Day 10: My 21 Day Journal

So what do you do when a really bad day comes?  When it seems like every area of your life is getting messed with?  What is your response to that?

A lot of people blame God or at the very least, get really angry at Him.  He CAN stop it, so why doesn't He?  I think that a lot of the things that we really care about are basically meaningless to God...in the scope of ETERNITY.  So many things we spend time on will not matter in our eternal life.

But if we have an eternal mindset all the time, even those "trivial" things can matter.  I'm sure I won't be a cheerleader in heaven - BUT if it brings me a little social status and attention at school, I could use that influence to attract people to our Souled Out Club!!  Then they may become curious about church...and maybe then about God...and maybe they would make a decision to follow Him for life...  Now THAT'S eternally significant!!  And it all started with cheerleading! If we change our perspective about the way we look at life, we can find God's hand everywhere!

So when the terrible days come...and they will...you will still be able to see Him moving in your life if you have your eternal lenses on.  We go through seasons of mountains and valleys, and God doesn't leave us through any of it!

Day 9: My 21 Day Journal

So I'm wondering how everyone is doing with seeking RADIATION like we talked about at camp.  I used an analogy that I thought might help an idea stick.

We are all born with the same "disease" - sin.  It's like cancer.  You didn't choose it - you were born with it.  It begins to make you "sick" very early on.  Two year olds act out in anger and selfishness without anyone teaching them how.  It's the cancer.  So we learn to TREAT the disease as we get older.  When you become a Christian, you receive the cure for it!  But like cancer, you have to take care of your spiritual health so that the cancer will stay in remission.  It's like when the Bible talks about mastering your sinful desires.  It doesn't mean the desires disappear - but it does mean that they are not mastering you - you are mastering them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In order to keep this cancer in remission, you need to nourish your spiritual life with the right things...prayer, the Word, Christian fellowship, etc.  But you also need to seek RADIATION - time soaking in God's presence.  His love and forgiveness is what keeps the cancer from killing us.  You can be saved and get into heaven on just receiving the cure, but your life will be one full of pain and sickness if you don't continue to seek His radiating presence.

Have you been taking care of your spiritual health?  How much radiation have you had this week?

Day 8: My 21 Day Journal

We had an amazing time of sharing our stories about camp with our church. The response was overwhelming - people were really touched and excited to hear about what God had done. We need to remember that our church family is supporting us...sometimes teenagers feel like they're just looking down on them. But what from I've heard, I know for sure (even though I already knew this), that most people aren't watching to criticize.  They're just watching to see how God is moving.

But I think you need to go beyond just worrying about whether they're judging your behavior.  I think it would be even better if the young people in church SET THE BAR for everyone else! Why shouldn't they be the most committed, the most passionate, the most expressive in their faith and worship?  In your youth, you have natural energy to be active - so why not take that energy and put it to use by inspiring others through your life?

Day 7: My 21 Day Journal

So today my Pastor prayed something interesting when we were praying for all the students - especially those who had gone to camp. He said something like "Father we pray that their experience with You was not only environmental". I have been thinking about that during my secret place time today.

Environment IS important to your time with God. You have to choose an environment that will not distract you from being with Him or hearing Him. At camp, we did not have electronic devices to steal our attention and time. We had no work schedule, sports practices, or social opportunities to make time for. Our purpose was to carve out 5 days to give to God. So I know we can't always carve out 5 whole days. BUT we could remove all those things for one hour a week couldn't we? I'm realizing that part of the impact of my time with God does depend on the environment that I create. I take an hour every Tuesday to go in our sanctuary, plug the iPod into the sound system, journal and pen ready if needed, and I don't take calls or visits for one hour. The lights are dim and the music is loud (worship tunes but I like that if someone walks in while I'm storming heaven, they won't necessarily hear what I'm praying). And it is a GREAT connect time with God for me. But it's not the ONLY way I sense His presence and connect with Him.

Do you think that environmental issue is a problem for you? Have you limited your God-rocking-my-world moments to camp, youth convention, and lock-ins? What can you do to create the environment you need to connect with God? He certainly isn't exclusive - the Holy Spirit will meet you anywhere.

Day 6: My 21 Day Journal

Boy it's hard to blog every day. Some people do that but I seriously don't know how. So this will be a 21 Day Journal - but not over 21 consecutive days.  :o)  (I'm sure lots of campers are doing the same thing.)

So we had this incredible testimony service on Sunday morning.  I have had multiple people comment to me about how powerful and moving it was. I seriously had the "camp intensity" as we shared what God had done at Kamp Kinship.  Worship before that was so anointed...and every student really shared from their heart.  Bre gave her 5 minute sermon and it was really a powerful time!!  It was SO good for the adult congregation to see the passion that students can have. I was able to ask them to raise the bar for their own lives so that our students would always feel comfortable in our church - that they could freely express themselves in ministry and in worship - that they would know they're loved even when they fail.  Most of the room was in tears for a good hour.  Praise God...

Then our senior pastor got up to close (we WERE the message this week), and we cried again.  He shared how he was transported back to age 16 while he listened to them.  He shared stories from his own camp experiences - times that were so powerful.  He shared how God called him to ministry at age 16.  He loved on the students and told them how proud he was.  It was just such an amazing time as a church family.  I've asked the students to be BOLD in their Christian life - that they're safe in our church.  I feel even better about that now.  I pray that even in their failure, the body of Christ will make a point to love on them and encourage them.  We are so blessed.  I know there are others who don't have a  supportive church, whose worship is full of life and exuberance, whose leaders don't make the effort to reach out to students.  I know that happens. But for those who have more - BE THANKFUL!!!

Day 5: My 21 Day Journal

Well after today, I felt a little bruised up. It was a long day of difficult ministry. Not a single teenager involved. I know some people think that teens are difficult to deal with. But I just don't agree... I guess it's because I expect them to be inconsistent, immature and self-centered. But when adults (who are Christians) act that way, it's incredibly frustrating to me. People are going through some really difficult circumstances, and I truly have compassion for them. But I can't quite understand why people don't take advantage of every possible tool that is offered to help them get through crises. ???

It's kind of like the camp crash syndrome. You can just watch the experience fade away...or you can pursue the presence of God in every possible avenue to keep the fire stoked. You learn discipline in your devotional life, go to church, worship in your car, go to prayer meeting...CHASE HIM!!!!

Day 4: My 21 Day Journal

Now we're getting to the point where people either slip back to the inconsistency of their pre-camp life OR they grab every opportunity they can to be in God's presence to keep the fire stoked. So where are you?

During preservice prayer today, I remembered the intensity of preservice prayer on Tuesday and Wednesday night at camp. With a little direction, students were crying out to God in fervent prayer. They were spread out all over the chapel, worshipping and interceding in their own way. I saw that again tonight from the students who were there. They were focused and some had intense moments where I could tell they were having a serious conversation with God. That is what it's going to take... A serious pursuit of His presence and His touch!

Day 3: My 21 Day Journal

One of the toughest things about a great week of camp is coming home. Going home doesn't have to mean automatic deflation of an incredible mountain-top experience...but, sadly, it usually does. Part of that is spiritual immaturity - which is totally understandable. Teenagers are still growing and developing physically and emotionally. Spiritually, they are often just coming in to their own faith. They're just realizing that they can't live off their parents' experience and advice. So immaturity (even though it's a word they don't care for) is a big factor in the "camp crash".

But another big one is the circumstantial stuff they come home to. The people who weren't there didn't share the same God-moments...life just went on as usual. The problems they left were waiting when they got home. The consequences of previous choices were still lingering, waiting to be paid. And then of course - the enemy of our souls knows just what buttons to push to bring us crashing down to reality. Just in our church, people experienced death of someone close, enormous relationship pressure, serious family conflict, and near depression. No one seems to have been spared. I warned them...when we experience something intense like that week of camp, Satan will not let that go quietly.

So now what?? What do we do with that?

Day 2: My 21 Day Journal

One of my favorite things about being at camp is that the students get really close. It makes sense. They're experiencing a powerful time together. People let their guard down at the altar. They encourage each other to worship, pray, and be vulnerable. I saw tough guys crying out to God. I saw popular kids with tears streaming down their faces. I saw outcasts being accepted and embraced during prayer. I saw quiet, awkward kids stepping up to take responsibility for what God was saying to them. The presence of God is a place of transformation. True repentance goes from a change in thinking to a change in behavior. The environment at camp makes it easy to have a change in thinking. But the change in behavior can't be tested until you go home. As I watched the change in thinking take place - in even the toughest cases - I couldn't help but have some fear about whether they are strong enough for the change in behavior that needs to follow.

Immediately on Monday night, there was an electricity at the altar. People went up even if the altar call didn't apply to them. They were just so hungry for God's touch, it didn't seem to matter what it was about. Sometimes Monday services are the "warm up" time and we don't expect much. But this time the standard was set high right from the start! I went to sleep that night SO excited to see what was coming next.

Day 1: My camp 21 day journal

I am going to attempt to record some thoughts about summer camp this year. I am doubtful that I can find adequate words to describe it, but here goes... I knew as we packed up the van that the students were expecting - even needing - a special week in God's presence. There were some who have had a difficult time the last few months, so I understood what they were looking for. But there others that didn't have any specific struggle going on, other than just feeling "dry" in their spiritual life. Students always look forward to camp. But there was something different this year.

I think it's related to the same hunger that's been rising in our church. We've been at a "stuck" place and are feeling this sense of frustration about how to move on from this place. We know that God wants us to seek a deeper connection with Him. So there we were...packing up to leave. There were students who were hoping to have fun and meet new people. There were some who were excited to hang out with old friends. Some were truly hoping for a miracle - a magic moment where God took all their sinful desires away and made them a better Christian. Some just wanted the intensity of worship and altar services, but didn't really want God to change them too much. Others were desperately hoping that God would answer their questions about where to go from here. The adults were just holding their breath and praying that something meaningful would happen. I think what God ultimately decided to do was beyond any of those expectations.

Supernatural Compass

Well another school year has started.  It's Homecoming week!  I'm sure to most students, everything feels "normal".  But to those who have had a pretty supernatural summer, "normal" isn't enough.  I saw the Holy Spirit move in the hearts of many students this summer - starting with camp (mine included).  A missions trip transformed two others.  And it hasn't stopped yet.  There still remains a HUNGER in their hearts like I haven't seen here before.  I've been praying every Tuesday afternoon for an hour - and asking God for divine wisdom about how to lead during this school year.

Psalm 25:14 says "Lord I want You to CONFIDE in me!  Share Your plan with me!"

That's been my prayer!  Lord, show me Your secret wisdom.  So that I can follow Your supernatural compass for direction instead of human wisdom.  I challenged the students last Wednesday to ask themselves, "What if this is it?"  "What if this is your LAST school year?"  What will you leave behind if Jesus raptures His church?  Will they know why you're gone? 

There were 15-18 students who responded to the call that they wanted a different life - they wanted to be a true follower of Christ.  Life shouldn't revolve around church...or school...or a relationship...  But it should revolve around Jesus Christ!  And if we TRULY believe this stuff, then it should radically change our life!  That can be a scary idea in our human thinking.  So we need to stay focused on the dial of the supernatural compass that the Holy Spirit provides to see where we go from here.

We want it to be a different school year.  We want to see God move in the hallways of our schools, and to transform the lives of our friends.  Where do we start?  I have no clue...

But I know how to find out.  So this Wednesday, we are spending our entire service seeking the Lord and soaking in His presence.  There will be no games or life groups or chatting.  If we are serious about wanting to know what God has for us, then we have to learn how to be heavyweight prayer warriors.  Age does not affect whose prayers are heard.  We need to hear from Him!  Let's just see what God will do through us as we ask Him.

Story from Wednesday night

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE. WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.

'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ,' HE BEGAN. 'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANYATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION. THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE ALSO KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT. THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES. AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND.

BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. 'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND.

'HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.'

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. 'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM, 'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.

'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT,I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE...I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'

Ardent Variety Show

I got a kick out of what our judges had to say about the variety show acts, so I thought I'd share some of them. :o)

Jordan & Heidi's River Dance

• "Jordan needs to work it a bit more".
• "Good form!"
• "Lots of passion"
• "They actually practiced! I liked his feet."

Briana & Bre's Cheertastic Moment

• "Good effort"
• "Good hair!"
• "Speechless"
• "Nice finish. I like how both their names started with B."

Emily's Poetic Prowess

• "Original"
• "Made me cry"
• "Creative...good truth"
• "Very genuine

Briana's Vocal Display - Dreamer

• "How'd she get to be in this twice? Needs some more expression but sounds good"
• "Good form. I like her socks"
• "Sung a song. Red hair"
• "Nice socks. Wore holey jeans"

Groovy Mystery Band

• "Looks like a Jonas bro. Nice groove.
• "Go Annette! Awesome"
• "Family band never played together like this...Sweeeeeet"
• "Very good. I liked it"

Aurum Arydium

• "Took a long time to set up. Does anyone actually sing in this band? Good audience interaction."
• "Good job w/getting audience! You really lassoed them in! =)"
• "My face was rocked off. BOOM!"
• "Good noise."

Ardent Youth Sponsor Practice in Filth and Humility

• "You've inspired me to spend time to be beautiful."
• "Comic relief"
• "Hilarious"
• "Need more chocolate"

Great job everyone! That was so fun - definitely should be an annual event!! :o)

What is Love?

Just as Jordan I have never blogged before but I thought it's an interesting concept so I'll give it a go. I'm still amazed that after 14 years of marriage that I can still learn something about love that I didn't quite grasp before. I certainly did not hear the points about love verses infatuation until I became a Christian 6 years ago and heard it during a sermon. I did not grow up in a household where I had the security of a loving father and this completely shaped how I tried to gain love from the opposite sex. I truly felt as if I were on my own trying to figure out how a dating relationship was supposed to look like. Yeah, my mom was around but I had no idea how to talk with her about boys and unfortunately she did not take the time to try to explain what "healthy" dating was all about.

One of the points that Pastor Annette (PR) pointed out Wednesday night on the difference between love and infatuation was the "time" factor. I completely believed as a teenage girl that I knew everything about my boyfriend in like a 3-5 day span and that I was going to spend the rest of my life with this boy. And then when he was a jerk to me two weeks later I was completey surprised that I hadn't seen this flaw in him before and hated myself for giving my heart away. Well I promised myself that the next guy would be different, and he was, but the problem was that I wasn't different. I kept believing that I could really know a person and trust him with my heart within just a week or two. So thus I begain a crazy cycle of short-term dating expecting long-term results. I felt so alone but I was just so sure that if I could get enough love from the right guy that everything would be wonderful and I wouldn't feel like such a LOSER.

I could go on and on about all the mistakes I made, but what really counts is that I survived all those past mistakes because I finally found the real "love" of my life. Yes, it's God, Eric is great too, but God healed my heart, no human person can do that for us. And all of this took time, even my relationship with Christ takes time. I need to spend time talking with Him and reading the letters He has left for me to remind me of His love (this would be the bible, just in case you were wondering). Any healthy and worthy relationship takes time, whether it be a friendship, a dating relationship, or a co-worker. I look forward to next Wednesday night when we can hear more about love and I want to encourage you to take full advantage of this time. Because if you were a confused teenager like I was or don't know who to talk to about this subject, you are in the position to hear the real truth about what love is and not what this world tries to convince us it's all about. Until then have a great week and I pray that God's love will be revealed to you more and more.

What is Love?

I'm going to lay some truth down on you guys right away here; this is the first time I have ever blogged and I really do not know what I am going to write, so I think I'm just going to ramble on about the message last night and hopefully that is sufficient. It was a great message last night if you did not get a chance to hear it. Pastor Annette talked about love and infatuation; all differences and confusing signs they like to throw at us.

From what I understand, love and infatuation are NOT the same thing. That is a very important thing to remember. If anything, that is what the message was of the message. DO NOT get these two confused or your love life is going to be very miserable and disappointing. PR gave us some great verses on the subject, 1st Corinthians 13:1-4. Did you know that 1st Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter? Well, you would have if you were listening last night, because PR said it. Burn.

My experience in love is very minimal, outside my family. I have not been on a date since 8th grade and that is by choice. PR said that studies show that teens that grew up in a loving home tend to feel the need to date less in high school and that is very true for me. Also, I was pretty geekish and shy my first two years in high school and when I finally got comfortable enough with the other teens in my school to actually start dating we upped and moved to Yankton and I just clammed up for my last year in high school. But that is the thing about love. If we do not have it, we will spend all of our energy and go through self destrution to get it. I feel love everyday of my life with my family and the friends that I did not have the want to go and have a girlfriend in high school. Thats changed now....moving on

That is what i got out of the message last night. It isn't anything earth shattering or incredibly enlightening but it really helped me out with some feelings that I had been having. Hope you all got something from it but if you didn't...theres always next week. We are talking about love again!!! Aree you as excitied as I am for those wonderfully akward discussions...ahh *exhale*