parties, guns and teens

In the past 4 months 4 teenagers have died. I didn't personally know any of them but they all had connections to our neighbor kids. It has been sad to see these kids, who we love so much, lose a sibling, a friend and 2 aquaintances. It has been painful to know they saw them one day and the next they were gone. I drove one of my dear young friends home tonight after church. She talked a lot about her friend who was shot last Saturday. We talked about the fact that she hasn't made a choice to follow Jesus and that if she died right now it would be too late. She was still hesitant about taking that important step in her life. I told her I see how God has His hands around her and keeps drawing her close to Him. She feels like she has sinned too much for God to want her, like she couldn't possibly keep her end of the bargain on that big of a committment and that she would give up things in her life she enjoys. Yet she calls me all the time and keeps coming to church every Wednesday and Sunday. I told her that God is drawing her in to hear His words. She needs to listen and respond. So please pray for my dear friend. I love her SO MUCH and want to see her give her life to Jesus!

Spiritual Warfare

I would love to hear other people's thoughts on spiritual warfare so please enlighten me.

I know the Bible talks about our battle being against spiritual forces. It is so hard for me to comprehend. However, I often stop and wonder about things in my life and if they are truly caused by spiritual warfare.

This weekend Dan was gone. On Saturday I had several kids from our youth group over to do a work project in exchange for us supporting them on their mission's trip. Then I offered to have 2 of our teenage neighbor friends, who are involved in our youth group, come over for a slumber party. The work day was stressful. By mid-afternoon I was so tired and crabby I wanted to cancel the slumber party plans. My middle son was so difficult all weekend. It seemed like someone was standing behind him and pushing all the wrong buttons. He was taking it out on all of us and I was taking out my crabbiness on my kids. I didn't cancel the slumber party and the girls came over. They had fun but I was still crabby and wishing I was alone. Sunday morning was stressful but we all got out the door and made it to church 15 minutes late. During Sunday School one of these young ladies got a call on her cell phone and found out that one of her friends from high school had been killed late the night before at a party. He was shot in the chest. She told me that if she hadn't spent the night she would of been at that party. WOW! I thanked God that I didn't cancel and that she was safe at my house. So was all the stress and crabbiness a result of spiritual warfare? How does satan work in our lives?

Tonight at dinner my oldest stopped us as I was slamming the food down. He said, "I think we need to pray." He then proceeded to say a wonderful prayer and asked Jesus to help all of us be nice to each other. I had to apologize to my children several times this weekend. I was so out of line. At times like that I get even crabbier because I know I am setting a bad example. It was good to see my son pray and know that even though I fail at times I have succeed in setting a good example other times.

How do you define poverty?

In college one of my professors challenged me to think about the Biblical mandate to help the poor. For many years I have focused on the poverty I see everyday. However, the last couple years I have been asking the question, "How do I define poverty?" The standards in America are so high that I struggle to define what I see as poverty. Around our neighborhood I see working class families and families receiving some welfare benefits but they all have a decent roof over their heads (not a shack), a variety of clothes to choose from (maybe not always clean, new or the latest fashion), free education, often more than one meal a day, unlimited clean water, trash removal and a sewage system. If they have a need there are lots of resources available to help. We have a church in the neighborhood that provides a free meal 5 nights a week. All of the Minneapolis Public Schools offer free breakfast and almost every kid around here qualifies for free school lunch. They even offer free meals in the summer to both kids and parents. If your income is low enough you can get energy assistance. Housing vouchers are hard to get but available. Do we really have poverty in America? Our standards are so high we create the appearance of a need. Here are some images of poverty outside this country we are blessed to live in.

Right now we sponsor 1 family through World Vision. They live in Ghana and the $40 a month we give helps provide clean water and schooling for the children. I really feel convicted that our money needs to help those who are really living in poverty not just missing out on the American dream. I love my neighborhood, my neighbors and I want them to know Jesus. I will still feed a hungry kid who comes to my door but I want the resources that God has given us to help the truly poor.

How do you define poverty?

Do I have to go to church?

One of my neighbors recently asked me, "Do I have to go to church? Because I think it is really boring." I have known her for 10 years and her kids come to church with us. I have managed to get her to come a few times but overall have focused on praying for her. Reaching out to kids and teens is so much easier than adults. As a result of her question we had a good talk. I am exploring the idea of doing a evangelistic Bible study. So please pray with me about that!

Prayer request update

Had a good time out with my 15 year old friend. We got to chat about life and some fun stuff as well as her troubles. I wish I could convince her to stay away from boys. She has dealt with so much garbage in her life and I think she feels like she can find love and security in a boyfriend. How do you make a 15 year old understand that is not true? Her mom got pregnant with her at 15. She has already been down that path which ended in a miscarriage. She mentioned tonight that a baby would just love her. I tried so hard to explain that having a baby will not help her life. She seems not that interested in God but still occasionally comes to church with us. I just encouraged her to seek God because that is the only real fulfillment that life offers.

Prayer request

If anyone reads this in the next 2 hours please pray for me tonight. I am having coffee with one of my neighbor friends. She is 15 and has so much garbage in her life. I just need wisdom to know what to say. Also, please pray for her.

Hell?

I had a neat opportunity last night. One of my neighbor kids invited a friend from school to youth group. This friend doesn't live in our neighborhood rode to church with us. Since I had to drive farther to take her home I dropped all the neighbor kids off first. As the last one got off the bus this new young lady climbed into the front seat. As soon as the doors closed and we were alone she turned to me and said, "I'm not sure what to believe but I am scared about going to hell." That was the first she had said to me all night so I was taken by surprise. So for the next 15 minutes we had a great talk about God, religion, hell and her life. I always like to start out these conversations with, "Do you believe in a God?" She did and so we went from there. She seemed mostly concerned that things in her life don't please God and she isn't sure if she can change. It was cute because she said, "Doesn't the Bible say tatoos and piercings are wrong?" I tried to explain cultural context and just assured her that God is far more concerned with her "heart". She seemed surprised when I said piercings and tatoos aren't sin unless they are done with a rebellious heart. In the end I told her that God is there and listening. I encouraged her to pray everyday and tell God she believes in Him but is confused about different religions, the Bible and what it all means, to ask God to reveal Himself to her and make things clear. She told me there is a Bible in her house so I told her to read the book of John and pray that God would make it all clear. I also gave her Joelle's cell number and encouraged her to call with questions.

I have been amazed over and over again that these neighbor friends of mine keep coming and bringing their friends. A few years ago I was scared that they would stand out in youth group but they are all just apart of it. I see them apart of our church family, being so loved and prayed for. We bring 9 kids that are youth group age and they keep inviting their friends. A few Wednesdays ago I counted 16 kids in youth group that were associated with the Northside. What is interesting is of the 9 kids we bring several of them still haven't made a solid committment to Jesus but they bring their friends to hear all about Him.

So PLEASE pray this young lady, all my neighbor friends and our youth pastor and staff as they minister to these kids.