It's been a God month
Well, I suppose that even though no one else posts on here, I still can. Hilights from the last month -
Attended CIY Summer Conference at Milligan College, TN with 2 students and Becci. Interesting trip. Duke's youth group was there as well, and that was a lot of fun hanging out with them during the week. It was a great time. Aside from the conference itself being very encouraging and challenging, we were able to go putt-putt, see Evan Almighty, and tour nearby Bristol Caverns. Good times.
I watched the Tigers beat Cleveland 6-4 on July 4th. Great game, awesome fireworks show. The Tigers have since swept Boston (who is still the best record in baseball), and moved to 1st in the American Central Division over Cleveland. They are playing some great baseball right now.
Last week Becci and I served as Assistant Deans for Sr High week of camp at Lake James Christian Assembly. It was another awesome week. We did some cool activities that got positive responses from the students and they were making intiative to deepen their relationship with God and ask questions and everything. Also, the camp gifted new Bibles to every camper and faculty. Thomspon Student Bibles in NIV. They are a good Bible that the students responded to very well and were taking their free time to read through. Sweet. On friday I had the privelage of baptizing two young men, one from my church. And another girl from my church baptized her friend who attends our youth group. God moved in big ways last week.
(this next part is long and detailed, because I don't feel it necessary to rob of such things. If you're opposed, don't read on)
Saturday I got a call from Duke to hang out in Fort Wayne, since he was on his way to buy some new running shoes. So I drove down later for a movie at the Georgetown Dollar Theater and we watched Disturbia. It was a pretty good mix of thrilling suspense and comic relief, but not suitable for all maturity levels. Then we went to eat at Olive Garden. Had some good conversation there and decided to continue our discussion at Starbucks across the road. We talked there until 1:00am. After praying for each other, we were leaving and I noticed a guy sitting by himself around the corner at another table. Remember, its the middle of night in downtown Fort Wayne. (Which isn't that scary, but he was all alone). I had a fleeting thought that I should go talk to him, but then I figured he was probably just worked at Starbucks and was waiting for his ride or something. So I left.
But I couldn't get this guy out of my head and I felt like God was telling me to go back and pray for him or something. So after I made a pit stop at a gas station (for me, not my car) I turned around and went back. By the time I got back, it had been 15 minutes, but he was still there. I walked up to him and introduced myself and told him I was a Christian youth minister in Auburn. Then I said, "I know this might sound weird, but I saw you sitting here alone as I was leaving and really felt God calling me to come back and have a conversation with you." "Wow", he said, "That's awesome." So I asked him what was going on and why he was out there all alone. I found out that Bobby (that's his name) was from New Jersey and had flown into Indy to visit some friends the day before. He had a friend in Indy that gave him a ride to Ft. Wayne in hopes that he could get ahold of another friend that lived in Warsaw. That's when I told him, "Dude, my brother who was just here with me lives in Warsaw. I had a feeling I was supposed to call him back here, too, but didn't listen." So I called Duke and he was 20 minutes away already, but agreed to come back and give him a ride. So as I waited with Bobby from New Jersey (who had no inkling of an accent) we had a conversation about God and church and school (since he'd just graduated) and finding your place in life. Duke finally came and I introduced them and we left.
It was a late, but very rewarding night. At times like that I really feel blessed that God could use me to help people. And the fact that he chooses to use me and calls me to action is very humbling. I have had one other experience like this in Lansing when I gave a guy a ride. I remember that he was so appreciative and blown away that I would stop and help him. I prayed with that guy for the circumstances in his life that were bringing him pain and I remember feeling the same way then as when I helped Bobby on Saturday.
I called Duke on Sunday to see what had happened and if Bobby was ever able to get ahold of his friend (which he had not been able to do during our conversation). It turns out that Bobby's friend wasn't able to take company until she cleaned the house (mom's orders), so Bobby spent the night with Duke, went to church with him the next morning (which he hadn't done in a long time, but felt like he needed to), and also had lunch with Duke before he went over to his friends house. Duke shared my feeling of awe at how God uses his people to accomplish things like that. He said he almost didn't go to Fort Wayne on Saturday because it was getting late, but he did anyway. And we almost stopped our conversation at Olive Garden and went home, but even though we were stuffed and ready to call it a night, we talked for two more hours at Starbucks, only to find Bobby all alone.
A closing thought for you: when stuff like that happens, I often have the habit of saying, "For some reason ..." But that really cheats God of his glory and doesn't recognize his hold on my life. I hope I have the courage to say, "God called me ..." from now on and not be afraid of sounding stupid or weird for listening or giving him glory. I know he does create some people with a huge heart of compassion. But that's not me. Without God calling me to be compassionate and caring to others, I am as sinical and unforgiving as the next person. So if God was not living in me through the Holy Spirit, I would have looked at Bobby all alone, got in my car and drove off with no conviction to turn back. There is a reason we get feelings or thoughts to do things that seem strange or out of place, and it's called God's will. While I was driving home from Starbucks I realized how often God calls me to approach people like Bobby and I give him excuses instead and blow it off. People are hurting, people are lonely, people are confused. And if it takes diving intervention for you touch their lives, I hope you are listening for His call.
God will move you, if you are willing.