Here I go again!

As most of you already know (if you've been paying attention!) I was in youth ministry for about 8 years during my 20s and into my early 30s. I remember the night (actually it was in the wee hours of the morning) that I decided it was time to make a change. We were doing yet another all-nighter and I was sitting in a movie theatre watching "Hoosiers" at about 3 a.m. Suddenly, I had an out of body experience. Hovering 30' in the air I looked down upon myself slouching in that seat and asked this question - "is this really what you want to do with the rest of your life?"

And my answer on that occasion was "no". That set things into motion and within a year or so I was planting a church about 30 miles away. (This is kind of like when the 17 year old gets sick and tired of living under his parents rules and goes out and joins the Marines...)

Well, here I am pushing 40 and I am back into youth ministry. The difference? This time I am a volunteer leader and our oldest daughter, Megan, is a part of our Middle School youth group. Talk about a new perspective on things! Now I am looking around for some 22 year old kid to get involved and help us in this ministry - someone a lot like I was when I first started out.

So, it comes full circle. We have launched a youth ministry at Lighthouse Church and I am excited to think about what God is going to do in the lives of these students. I am excited to see how God wants to work in the lives of those of us who are leading this effort. And, I am really excited to see how God wants to bless others though the students themselves.

But please, no more "Hoosiers" at 3 a.m. - I'm just too old.

Ever want to go climb a tree?

Every spring our kids, especially Emily, start climbing trees. It's kind of like one of those signs of spring that you look for, right up there with birds chirping and insects buzzing.

Our kids all take after me when it comes to climbing - they are monkeys! I remember as a boy climbing so high into trees that the branches supporting my weight (all 95 lbs.) actually started to bend and sway. And it was there, at the very top of the tree, that I would settle in and enjoy the view. There was something very peaceful and enlightening about being up that high looking down at my surroundings. All of those things that looked so big and intimidating just a few minutes before (the cars, the houses, my big brother) now seemed so small, so manageable...

Well, I don't make a habit of climbing trees these days, but I do try to gain a fresh perspective every now and again. Lately the perspective that I have had on life has been one that's a little more relaxed, a little less demanding. I'm not entirely sure why, but my stress level has come down a bit and I have slowed down - it actually feels like things have slowed down around me, like everything is moving at a decreased pace.

Why the change? Not sure really. The Bible speaks about a Sabbath rest for God's people, and warns us not to miss out on it. Maybe I am experiencing a taste of this of late... Whatever the reason, I am praying that God continues to bless me with a slower pace. I pray that all of the time I have spent over the past month playing catch with the kids, watching ball games, and tinkering around the house (not accomplishing anything in particular) becomes part of who I am.