Busyness of the Summer (Why is there a smile on my face? Read on to find out!)

Most people's summers are a little more "chill" and laid back. My summers as a youth pastor are one of the busiest times of the year. We met on Sunday nights and added a mid week "Wacky Wednesday" event night which consisted of Madden tournaments, open gym nights, bonfires, a dodgeball tournament, laser tag, a senior high beach trip, and a pool party just to name a few of the awesome things we did. Small groups, and Bible studies continued to meet. Yes, all this and not to mention our week long Messiah Camp and our NYC Missions Trip! Wow, such a great summer!

So why the smile on my face? Because, I got to witness so many instances of life change. Kids that didn't want anything to do with the church or God at the beginning of the summer are now head over heals in love with Jesus and now are devouring His Word. Yes, kids that are hungry for a life that is fulfilling and are finding it through a relationship with Jesus and other Christ Followers! What a wonderful summer! And I can't wait for the Fall! Horizon's H20 Youth is a great place to call home!

Wanna get plugged in? Come to the Fall H20 KickOff, Wednesday, Sept. 2nd @ my house. Dog's n Burgers and a slip and slide! What more could you ask for!?

-Andy

It's Been A While...

This morning I woke up @ 6:30AM and my heart was heavy. I have a lot of things on my mind and my brain was already on overload even though I just woke up. I woke Missy up and told her to get her dressed, we were going to go do a work out. When I am distraught or worried there's a little three mile circuit that I do to pray through things that are weighing me down. There's something about getting outdoors and away from the computer. (yes, I did carry my Blackberry with me, but that's another story!)

As many of you already know, Missy is looking for a teaching job in Stafford County. And as many of you also know, there aren't that many positions to be filled. Missy filled out the application, been through an interview process, took two classes to get her re certification, and is ready to go. But, at this point it is looking like there just isn't any positions available. With the economy the way it is and there already is a shortage in the education budget there just isn't enough resources to hire new teachers. Needless to say , this is weighing heavily on us.

What do you do when things are in the mix and they are out of your control? If you've done everything that you know what to do and you've done all your homework, you've passed out resume's to everyone you can think of you have to just say, enough. You have to know that you've done it all and now the rest is up to God. God is faithful.

Our hope is in Him, not the circumstances around us. Jer. 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God gave His people (that's us!) a “gracious promise” (v. 10, NIV) to deliver them, and He would keep His promise. God makes His plans for His people, and they are good plans that ultimately bring hope and peace. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid or discouraged.
In every situation, however, God’s people have the responsibility to seek the Lord, pray, and ask Him to fulfill His promises, for the Word and prayer go together. Are you seeking out God today? Have you asked him to fulfill His promises in you! He is waiting, patiently for you today.