Revive Us O Lord!

This past week I had the privilege of serving alongside other disciples of Christ as we were used as tools for His glory in the lives of about 100 high school and junior high students. My church, Compass Bible Church, prayerfully and ambitiously put together a week long summer camp at Lake Isabella. I have to admit that I was very skeptical of the whole idea, even up to the day before the students arrived. I couldn't imagine what God was going to do and I failed to trust Him wholly in His upcoming work. Was I wrong!

God moved in big and small ways as He used Pastor Mike's teaching to pierce deep within the hearts of students and leaders alike as God's word challenged each to examine their hearts and their lives and evaluate the eternal standing. We looked at Matthew chapter 19 the entire week and the parable of the rich young ruler. This man was unwilling to give up everything, his riches in specific, to surrender all, repent, and follow the King. This passage motivated many to realize that they too were not ready to give up everything (relationships, money, or whatever it might be) and in a sense, "jump off the cliff" and follow Him.

Our prayer prior to the camp was that God would do a revival in the lives of many if not all...hints the camp's name, "Revival '07". I remember as my skeptism increased praying that God would reach out an save one soul and if He did that it would be worth it. I knew that if nobody changed and if students would have left only enjoying the games or the fellowship that our work was in vain, but God exceeded any of our expectations. He did a revival in the lives of more than 50 students (whether that be in saving lost sheep or reviving the dry) this weekend and allowed us to get a glimpse of His greatness and glory.

Although this trip was a time for students, I think that each individual present (whether 7 or 47) was challenged and encouraged to continue on with a fervor and passion for our Great God. Mike's teaching convicted both the lost and the found to never run dry with a zeal to serve Him with your whole heart all the time. It is easy to get caught up in the selfishness of our own hearts and our own desires and we need to constantly be checking our motives and our passions to make sure that they are aligned with the Word of the Lord and that they are furthering His kingdom. I am excited to see what God will continue to do in the lives of not only the youth in True North and the Narrow but also in the hearts of the leaders and others who were hand picked by Him to be used this weekend.

May this year for each one of us be a revival, a time of examining our own lives and seeing where we stand with the Lord, and when that is done and He continues to mold and sanctify us may we pray, "REVIVE US O LORD!"

Indescribable

I just got home from a family vacation to Yosemite and the surrounding areas. The only words I can use to describe what I saw is breath-taking or awe-inspiring, but what it truly is is indescribable. God's creativity, His absolute power is wonderfully amazing and all together captivating. I wonder as I see things such as these how people could think these things happened "by accident", how they couldn't believe there was an all powerful and sovereign Lord and creator behind it all. Here are just a few snapshots of God's art:

How Great Is Our God in ALL the Earth

This past week I had the privilege of spending a week in El Porvenir, Mexico spreading the love and name of Jesus Christ! From the times of sweet worship and edifying teaching to the serving that the Lord called us to do, God was magnified. Twenty one students from Compass alongside three leaders joined up with 14 others from a few churches down to Casa de Paz (House of Peace), a Christian run orphanage. It was awesome to see how God not only stretched each one of us in different ways whether physically or spiritually, but also how He proved His greatness to each and every one of us.

One specific experience that really magnified His greatness to me was at the local outreach we had. On our way to the location we lost half of the drinks we had needed (we had brought just enough for 150 people and that is one drink each), so one of the Pastors on the trip headed back to pick up some water. I had instructed the students helping me that we should only give ONE drink to each person, after thinking for about two seconds Matthew 10:42 came to mind, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward". It was at that moment that I realized what a small view of God I had! I needed to trust that the Lord would provide and prove Himself faithful, as He ALWAYS has. And He did. About thirty minutes prior to the end of the outreach, one of the students explained concern for lack of water. My response was, "We won't run out!". He looked at me like I was crazy, and again repeated His question, and I again repeated my response. It was at that moment that He too had realized that God provides for His people and that He did! We had plenty of water, the spout seemed to never dry up, it was incredible.

God has blessed us with so many blessings from the roofs over our heads to the water that we bathe in. We so often take the small and large for granted. My prayer is that your eyes too would be opened to the reality of life, that as Christians our calling is to be a missionary EVERYWHERE we go. We are to magnify His great name among ALL nations and ALL people, and where better to start then right outside your front door, or even in your house! And always remember how great our God truly is!!!

SOME PICS...