Tuned in

On Sunday, our high school youth group had a retreat day at Camp Roger with Church of the Servant and Alger Park. We did the adventure course, had some yummy crock pot soup/chili, and worshiped by the campfire. It was a gorgeous day to be outdoors enjoying God's creativity in nature.

The other youth pastors & I planned and led the worship, which had two themes. First, we tied into the idea of belaying on the ropes course. We gave each student a carabiner and read through Psalm 121 (Read here). We asked the students who or what they were attaching their carabiner to throughout their days - God or red bull or video games or.... you get the idea. If you are attaching it to your music, when you start to 'fall' - is your music going to save you?

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
   where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD,
   the Maker of heaven and earth.

The second theme was that of being tuned in. We sat in silence with our eyes closed while one of the other youth pastors had a old school dial radio that she was 'tuning' and stopping on various stations - some were clear (we got to hear part of the song 'addicted to love') and others completely static. We talked about the noise that is in our daily lives and how that makes it so difficult to tune in to God.

Then I talked about the noise Jesus must have had in his life: pharisees questioning him, disciples following him, whole towns arriving on his doorstep to have him heal their sick and demon possessed. Yet he always connected to the Father. He went off to solitary places to pray. Early in the morning. I made an assumption that when Jesus went off to pray - I doubt he talked the whole time. I'm pretty sure he listened, too. We're not very good at that - in life and in prayer. I like the sound of my own voice too much, and for some reason, I think what I have to say to God is much more important than what he has to say to me. I then led a Lectio Divina on Psalm 121.  We ended by singing "Be Still and Know".

³ He will not let your foot slip—
   he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep.

We challenged the students to try to eliminate some of the noise in their lives and listen to God.

SO...(here's the real point to my post) Tonight as I was driving to my dear friends house to hold a Blessings Unlimited gathering, I turned off the radio in my car and eliminated some noise. I sang, "Great is Thy Faithfulness". I needed to remind myself about the amazing faithfulness of my Father. I forget. I'm like an Israelite. And that song just came to me to sing. I felt prompted to sing it. And I felt a peace wash over me.

 ⁵ The LORD watches over you—
   the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
   nor the moon by night.

You see, the thing I attach my carabiner to is my money. Not because I have  a lot any. Not because I think it will save me. Not because I want to be rich. But my identity is attached to my lack of money. To my debt. I feel like I want so badly to unhook myself from it, but I can't. It's dragging me down and I kind of trust that God will help me.

Oh, and I requested from our church council that I stay at 30 hours a week, rather than be reduced to 25 hours a week. My request was denied. I know there are reasons, but when I found out on Sunday, I felt my heart drop out from inside me. Five hours less to do my job? YIKES! Five hours less from my paycheck? YIKES! Fear set in.

BUT, GREAT IS THEY FAITHFULNESS. 

I prayed about this Blessings Unlimited gathering all day. I'm praying for God's favor on this business adventure of mine - that it might help us be released from this sinking ship of debt. And wouldn't you know it? God heard me (oh wait - he always does). The gathering itself was delightful - a great group of women gathered - and the hostess was top notch. ;) The sales went well, but better than that - 2 women set dates to host a gathering themselves, AND someone wants to start selling. That means I will be 'promoted' to team leader rather than just consultant. WHOO HOO! :) 

And to top it off, on my way home, I got good news regarding a few of our medical bills that will be covered. 

It truly felt like a night of Blessings Unlimited!

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
   he will watch over your life;
⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
   both now and forevermore.