Too Much Time

Too much time has passed since the last blog post. I have thought of several things in the past months that were blog worthy and never made it my priority to write them down here.

One that sticks out to me was watching the Chilean Mine Rescue. I held my breath (not literally or else I wouldn't be here) while the rescue cage entered the mine to reach the first miner. I was relieved when they made it to the men and then I had to hold my breath again as they started to bring him to the surface. I did this each time I saw the cage go down and prayed that the equipment would not fail and retain the men underground even longer.

As I watched and waited I enjoyed the commentary and how so many of the men swore that there were 34 men in the mine not just the 33 that we could see because God was with them. Amen! God was definitely with them in that mine as they were able to sustain for so long. I can't remember his exact number now but it may have been man 9 who upon reaching the surface and being released from the cage got down on his knees and prayed. I am sure he was thanking God for saving them and returning him to his family but his testament to the world as we watched was also great. He could have run straight to his family and the Chilean president but he knew that praising and thanking God should be first and that's what he did. Just like one of the ten lepers that Jesus healed this miner remembered to thank God for his wondrous work.

As we have come through the Thanksgiving season I hope that we all thanked God for what he has done in our lives in the past year. As we enter the Christmas season may we once again praise God for the gift of us son Jesus.

Sanctus Real

For those of you who were able to attend Hills Alive 2010 and see Sanctus Real you probably recall the lead singer Matthew talking about his baby boy Bowen who was to be born in September with a heart defect. I have not followed the story closely but heard an update on KSLT yesterday that little Bowen was on life support so I decided to look into what's been happening and it is truly amazing!
Bowen was born on September 9th and he, his parents and the doctors have been praying and working to sustain his life on this earth since that day. He has had surgeries and has been on life support. After watching a nurse sustain his life directly and the doctors go into surgery Matthew and his wife Sarah continued their prayer and shared this portion on their website: www.bowensheart.com "Father, if this is even a fraction of the pain that you felt when you gave us Your only Son…we thank You for letting Jesus die on the cross. Put into motion the redemptive and healing power of Your Son’s death to spare the life of ours.” Wow, what a prayer as you're watching your baby son fight for his life.
This prayer really spoke to me and made a tear run down my face but I love the comparison they give to their baby boy and the love they have for him in few short months compared to God's love for Jesus and for us and how he willing let Jesus suffer a horrible death so that we can live forever! How GREAT is our God!!!
Please pray for baby Bowen, Matthew, Sarah and their two daughters as they walk down this difficult road that God has placed them on.

Why We Do It?

Do you ever wonder why you come to youth group on Wednesdays? I know I wondered that in high school and realized that it was a place that I enjoyed going to because of the people and because of what I learned or how I was challenged. As I think of our Wednesday nights starting up again I have been pondering why do we do it? Why do we lead youth group? We can say that it started out of a necessity when Pastor Chris left but I can guarantee you it has not continued for that reason. I can truly say, I love doing it! For me Wednesdays, althought they require a commitment on my part (and Barry's) I love being around you guys and seeing what you have to say about your faith, about acting out your faith in public and seeing how you challenge both me and your peers in their faith.
There are times when I feel that I leave youth group on a Wednesday night having learned more than I feel I've taught and that's awesome. It's a great reminder that we're never to young or old to be a teacher or a learner and really we should strive to be both all the time. As we head into this year it is my prayer that you do question Why you do the things you do and that through questioning you come to a deeper understanding that includes because you love youth group, what we do, what we learn, and the people who are there each week!

A New Pastor?

Definately the question going around Zion is when will we get a new pastor. It's nice to have had a call meeting yesterday with a call extended to Pastor Nathaniel Schwartz of Lee's Summit, MO but it also a trying time. As we finish our 8th month without a full time pastor we may begin to wonder "when will we get a pastor", I know I've thought that from time to time. Then I am reminded that God is trying to teach me patience as he leads us through this process. He is also reminding me to "Be still and Know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
As I think about patience, something that is much easier said than done for many including me, I am reminded that God's timing is perfect. Then as I think of Psalm 46:10 I think of King David and I wonder what may have been going on in his life as he wrote "Be still and Know that I am God." He lived a life of being the youngest son wanting to be like his brothers. Then he entered the kings favor but that too faded and he had to run for his life literally. He encountered wild animals that he had to kill and he had to endure the death of not one but two sons. After looking at all of this I tell myself, if David can write "Be still and Know that I am God", then I should be able to endure the absence of a full time pastor.
Still, I do pray that Pastor Schwartz will accept our call so that we can continue to expand our ministry base here at Zion and so that we can once again have an earthly shepherd to guide us as a church.
Please pray for Pastor Schwartz and his family as they consider our call and seek God's guidance.

A Short Summer

If you're like me the summer has seemed incredibly short and at times you wonder if it ever showed up. We've had great weather, plenty of rain, no 100 degree days, we survived The Rally last week and the YWAP (Youth with a Purpose) made it to and from New Orleans without too much trouble and had a great time! Now our seniors are heading to college where they will once again be freshmen and I am left wondering, where did summer go?

However, I am excited for the school year to start up again because our normal schedule of meeting each week will be back in full swing! We have some exciting things planned and hope that you give us even more great ideas or maybe you will want to lead youth group one night, let us know!

September 24th we will have our first big event with the Bon Fire at church at 7:30pm. It should be a great time and come October we will have our semi-annual Chicken Run. I know I'm excited for that! Stay tuned for updates and we will see you again soon.

Pray for Pastor Asmus

This is a simple request for all to pray for Pastor Asmus and his wife Lisa as they travel to Rapid on Sunday. They will be visiting Zion as they consider the call to be the pastor here. We also pray that their time here will be blessed no matter what the final answer is regarding the call.

Congratulations Graduates!

It's June already and many of our Zion youth have graduated and the rest will graduate this coming weekend. Tonight we will be holding a special Baccalaureate/Senior Tribute night which will be a great time to celebrate the past 18 years and to look forward to what God has in store for each of you as you begin down the road of higher education.
We leave you with these words from The Sidewalk Prophets which definately speak to the heart of one parent at Zion whose senior is graduating.

"Three in the morning, And I'm still awake
So I pick up and pen and a page, And I started writing
Just what I'd say, If we were face to face
I'd tell you just what you mean to me, I'd tell you these simple truths"

"Be strong in the Lord and Never give up hope
You're going to do great things, I already know
God's got His hand on you so, don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget but don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray, These are the words I would say"

"Last time we spoke you said you were hurting
And I felt your pain in my heart, I want to tell you
That I keep on praying, Love will find you where you are
I know cause I've already been there, so please hear these simple truths"

"Be strong in the Lord and Never give up hope
You're going to do great things, I already know
God's got His hand on you so, don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget but don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray, These are the words I would say"

"From one simple life to another, I will say
Come find peace in the Father"

"Be strong in the Lord and Never give up hope
You're going to do great things, I already know
God's got His hand on you so, don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget but don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray, Thank God for each day
His love will find a way, These are the words I would say"