Another summer is fast approaching as young people finish the school year, as well as graduate from high school and college. (Congrats to my youngest son, Jonathan, for completing his B.A. from Ball State.)
For students not attending year-round schools, summer can become unproductive if they are not encouraged to participate in enriching experiences. Again this summer, there are many positive options for young people. Here are some links of interest:
Marion County Commission on Youth: www.mccoyouth.org.
Freetown Village: www.freetown.org.
Save the Youth: www.savetheyouth.org.
Library Summer Reading Series: www.imcpl.org.
Multimedia In Focus Media Camp: www.visionmultimedia.org.
If you know of other great summer programs for youth, share your links.
The Bible says, "Judas hanged himself ... go and do likewise." This is a very disturbing statement until you realize that these two phrases are used out of context from unrelated passages.
It seems that context is sorely lacking in this political cycle when we would rather summarize people and their conditions in 30 seconds or less. With all the information resources at our disposal, many folks are either too lazy or too myopic to look a little deeper for understanding. At the cinema, we expend greater effort to understand the context of a movie plot than we do in seeking to understand the deeper context of a person's life.
An unwillingness to listen and learn from context makes us guilty of Proverbs 13:18, "Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish."
While reading the Bible recently, I came to the story of a man who Christ healed. This man got up and walked away carrying his makeshift bed (John 5:9-11). It was a great moment in this man's life and an amazing occurrence for those who witnessed it.
However, there was a problem. Some religious leaders criticized the man for carrying his bed on the Sabbath. Apparently, both Jesus and this man failed to realize their "error." Because of a distorted, legalistic view of the Sabbath, it was forbidden to carry any items on that day. The Sabbath was supposed to be a day of rest and celebration. It was never God's intent to forbid helping people in need. Jesus demonstrated his disdain for unhelpful traditions by healing the man on that day.
To this day, legalistic people and institutions continue to attack people for "carrying their beds" while failing to recognize God's grace in action. Religion without a relationship with God and love for people is ineffective at best, and harmful at worst. To often, we embrace petty unbiblical rules more than reaching out to serve others.
"Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (Mark 7:13)
Jesus' resurrection is the single most significant event in human history.
At the core of our human nature is the tendency to act in a manner that displeases God. This sinful nature is part of our "spiritual DNA" that we inherited from our progenitors, going all the way back to Adam and Eve.
Christ's sinless nature, by virtue of his miraculous conception and virgin birth, opened the door to all humanity to receive a "new birth" resulting in a new nature within. Jesus' resurrection from the dead is significant because it demonstrated his triumph over "enemy number one", death resulting from sin and Satan's deception.
Since his resurrection, Jesus has "all authority in heaven and earth." He can give you new life and new hope. The old saying is true: "Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once." Learn more at www.newcovenant.org
While doing some research for an upcoming leadership training session, I discovered the following list of affirmations by Myles Munroe. As a statement of our present practice, this list is a little intimidating. However, as a statement of our personal expectation, it is encouraging. Enjoy!
1. I possess a deep guiding purpose
2. I have a clear vision
3. I love to serve others
4. I have established specific goals
5. I cultivate my spiritual reserves
6. I am teachable
7. I am constantly refining my skills
8. I am tolerant
9. I am honest and sincere with integrity
10. I communicate my vision
11. I am an avid reader
12. I maximize time
13. I am enthusiastic toward life
14. I believe in the worth and value of others
15. I keep myself in the best condition possible
16. I embrace responsibility carefully
17. I am daring
18. I am decisive
19. I am result oriented
20. I am committed to excellence
21. I learn from my mistakes
22. I measure myself against myself
[From Myles Munroe, Becoming a Leader: Everyone Can Do It-Workbook (Bakersfield, CA: Pneuma Life Publishing, 1993), p. 59.]
