I had Cracker Barrel for lunch, today.

Miracle

The olympics closing ceremonies over with, and with the U.S. Hockey team getting beat, there has not been a miracle on ice since Herb Brooks took a bunch of college students to up against a powerful Soviet Union team, and won the gold medal, in 1980. They have made a movie about this team, and it truly is a miracle that this team won.

The other day someone asked me to define a miracle, and I gave him a sarcastic answer, and said the 1980 U.S. hockey team winning gold at those games. After thinking about, I thought about how God creates miracles, when babies are borned. There is no better way than to see God working in a family, and how God uses a miracle to create love in a family. The things that Jamin and Ashley are having to go through with Aiden, and I know that God is going use this miracle to fulfill his will.

People like to call babies that are near death, miracle babies. I have been classified as a miracle baby, but I do not agree with that. Every baby is miracle because God is created each and everyone of us to do His will. There is a purpose for everyone and everything. Read Ess. 3: 1-15. From what my family has told me about my birth, was that I had a blood disorder, and I was not suppose to survive, but God had a different plan. God had a greater purpose for me, and I am now realizing what that purpose is. I still have a lot to learn, but God is using me to minister to others. My mom and dad spent countless hours praying for my life, and those prayers paid off. They prayed that I would live to do great things in this world were great things are few and far between.

Just like this hockey team, it was miracle that they won the 1980 gold medal, I am now asking you what is your miracle? Think about it.

You

This one will be short. Last night in class, I discussed, and they prayed about their ministry here in this youth group. You may say that you do not have a ministry because of your age. Do you realize how many people are looking at you? Even your other peers look at you. A lot of you may ask what your ministry is. It is more than showing up on Sunday and Wednesday, which is very important. Your ministry maybe just encourage someone who is having a rough day. A lot of you have heard the saying, "you are the future of the church." I disagree with that, you can make a difference in the ministry, now. I pray that God is using you to fulfill his ministry.

What Personality

I am taking a class on personality, and it is pretty tough. I having to take test that involves a lot of material, and sometimes what I see as pointless concepts. Right now were are going through theories, and who came up with these theories. I guess that is the reason my test are that great because of these theories. Some people say that you have the same personality as your parents. Is that true for you? I think that I have the same personality as my dad and mom. I am very care-free, meaning stuff doesn't bother me, but I do care about what I am doing. My sister on the other hand, well we do not know were her personality comes from. Many of you may know that I roll with the punches. I learn and go on.

Have you every thought about what type of personality Jesus had. Jesus wepted, got angry, laughed, but most of all he loved. Does this fit your personality profile. How hard is it to love someone that has done something wrong against you. Jesus did that very thing all the time. Do you love the people that mistreat you? This is so hard to do. There have been times when I wanted to give people a piece of my mind when they have done me wrong, but I always thinking that would not be reflective of who I am.

I challenge you the rest of this week to find you are. What is your personality, and does that reflect who you are at home, school, and whatever you are doing?

My Olympic Dream

I hope to be a part of the USA Dream Team.

Passion

As you know, the olympics have been going on for the past week. The theme for these olympics, is "Passion Lives Here." You have seen the falls, and disappointment of the athletes. I have noticed how much energy and devotion that they have for their sport. I have noticed how much passion that they have devoted to their sport. They find their passion in doing good, and excelling to be the greatest athlete of the world. But I have a question for you, where does your passion live? Are you passionate about your ministry?

Passion is defined as a pervading spirit, ruling passion, master passion, fullness of heart, and flow of soul. In others words, it is how you show your love for something. These olympians show passion for their sport, just as Jesus showed passion for his people. Just as the athletes are radical for doing the twists, flips, and going high in the air, Jesus was a radical in the truest sense of the word.

He did not fit into the prefabricated mold of Messiah that the Jewish culure had prepared. He did not offer his backing to the established religious community. He showed no interest in influencing the politics of the day. Jesus was a radical from the time he was 12 and dared to go about his Father's business by questioning and instructing the rabbis in the temple (Luke 2:46-49).

In his revoluntionary style, Jesus spoke of a kingdom where God ruled as king. Jesus broke into history at a real point in time, died on a real cross, and left behind a real tomb. This was no last-ditch effort on God's part to save the world from its woes. This was his plan from the bringing his kingdom to earth. The cross and resurrection changed history; now we are pointed toward heaven.

Now here is the amazing part: we can live in this kingdom right now! The kingdom of God is not some far-off, distant, future realm. It is not a state of mind. It is not something we dream about or long for. We are in it! God's kingdom is a real place where we can walk and work and have relationships.

Here is yet another amazing thing about Jesus' announcement of this kingdom. The King wants to live with us!

Do you see how passionate God cares about you? He wants to live with you, and be your ministry. So, I have a few questions that I want you to ask your parents. Ask them what their ministry is, and how passionate are they about their ministry. Let me know what they say because to be honest with you, you need to know what your parents ministry is because that reflects who you are, and what your ministry is.