Engage!

I love what God is doing in my son's college-age ministry at White River Christian Church. Engage. Simple but as powerful as one - or a whole group - makes it. I love the leaders. I know most personally and completely adore them. They have loved Alexx since we moved back here from Houston, TX, and joined the church when he was 14. He's grown with them from early teenhood into the man he is becoming now at almost 21, and they have shaped his faith as much as any human can.  

I have to say here that I trust them implicitly. We have had situations and issues through the years that have shown the love and Christ-like ways that they deal with the kids in the ministries that they have committed to. They truly have their eye on the ball where these kids are concerned - our kids. They keep an eternal perspective with a current outlook. They never seem to forget (like I often to as a parent) the big picture - that what matters absolutely the most is where the hearts of these growing, impressionable kids are. And if they are in the hands of the Lord, then the rest is absolutely able to be dealt with. 

I wish I were one of their "kids" sometimes!

These kids, who are really no longer kids at all, are the greatest group of fun, loving, God-following people you will every meet. I have the pleasure of spending time with those who are closest to Alexx when they hang out at our house, and Sean and I love every minute of it. They are each just awesome, super people. In fact, we are probably ruining them one evening at a time when they spend time here. 

From the concept of the the Engage ministry to today has been so amazing to watch from the outside. Alexx would come home and tell me about what they were talking about starting . . . how things were coming along ...  Naming the group, talking about its direction, ideas for this and that ...  Watching him grow through being involved in the growth of something bigger than himself ...  It's all been such a blessing in this mama's eyes.

I know that from the inside, it has been phenomenal; and I would have loved to have been a part of that. But if I had been, then Alexx would not be who he is today. He would not have been comfortable growing and opening and sharing and becoming the someone that he is continuing to become with me anywhere near it; and I respect that process completely. I am incredibly grateful for it, as a matter of fact. I have been able to share the raising of my son with some of the most amazing people on the planet. And they are doing a KICK. BUTT. JOB.

This is a video that one of the Engage group members has put together just to show a tiny bit of what this group does on a weekly basis together.

I am 40, they are college age - and I want to be like them when I grow up.

The Essence of My Faith

Simply put. A graphic, graphic reminder of what we Christians already know, but tend to lose sight of in the rigors of daily life. I watch the movie "Passion of the Christ" about once a year. My stomach is in knots every time I watch it. I don't view it as entertainment. My mind and heart view it a historical account, well captured in film.

I want to feel that sickening feeling to bring me back to the absolute truth of the sacrifice God made for each of us. Every single one of us.

Couple scenes from that with (as you all know well), my favorite band EVAH singing one of my favorite songs of theirs - and it brings me to humble tears every time.

Warning: Graphic images/scenes