Blaze Youth Ministry

Today's post will be short, but no less important.

Please keep our priests in your prayers.  These are men who have dedicated their lives to serve God (and us).  I think because they are so giving we often forget to think of their needs, which is a shame, because I don't even want to think about what our faith would look like without them.  

You're in my prayers!

(Ok, so it only took me a week to let my love of Star Wars come through…but you had to know it was coming.)

Over the last few months Spike TV has shown a Star Wars movie each Sunday night.  Normally I don't like watching movies on TV because of the editing and commercials, but I can watch Star Wars anytime, anyplace.  A few weeks ago Episode I was on, and I caught the part where Qui-Gon, Obi-Won, and the others are stranded on a planet they need to leave.  They are unsuccessful in getting parts for their damaged ship, and the situation seems hopeless because they have no money and nothing to trade for the parts they need.  Just then, Qui-Gon says to Obi-Won, "Another solution will present itself."  

The phrase has been rattling around in my head ever since.  It was such a perfect expression of faith.  When everything seems hopeless and there doesn't seem to be any way things will work out, we have to look to God and remember that with Him, another solution will present itself.  I've lived it so many times, yet I still have trouble giving God the big stuff.  For some strange reason I forget that I am finite, and He is not; that I see only what's in front of me, and He sees entirety.  Why worry or stress knowing that God is in control?  

We need to remember that God is always working in us and through us, and that sometimes He has plans in mind that are much greater than we can possibly imagine.  Trusting this, even when logic and reason tell us otherwise, is the key to faith.  When times are tough, remember that with God, "Another solution will present itself."

I was just doing the daily readings for today, and it's funny how much the book of James speaks to me.  There are definitely some books of the Bible that I feel more "connected" to than others, and James is at the top of that list.  Actually, all of today's readings spoke to my heart, but particularly in James 4:6– "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."  I read that verse 3 times because I felt like God wanted to me to know it. 

I am proud by nature.  I have a hard time biting my tongue.  I have a hard time admitting I when I am wrong.  But when I look at Jesus I feel so ashamed.  I once read where St. Padre Pio said that Jesus came to fight, humble Himself, and die.  That, in itself, is humbling to me.  God was here to show us how to live, and He allowed us to humiliate Him.  He allowed us to cause suffering.  He could've said, "You know what?  I'm sick of all of you arrogant, selfish, self-righteous, prideful, sinful people!  I'm going back up to heaven.  Good luck."  But He didn't.  He didn't abandon us; He stayed with us and gave us the greatest gift of love we will ever receive.  He humbled Himself and died to that we might live.  You want to know what love is?  You want to know what to look for in a friend?  Look no further.

How is God asking you to be humble?  Is He asking you to make peace with someone, which might mean humbling yourself?  Today, and everyday, I will pray for the strength and courage to be humble, knowing that God is with me. 

p.s. If you want to find the daily readings, go to www.lifeteen.com and you will see them on the left side of the page under "Daily Devotional." (And if you decide to do today's readings, think about the Psalm.  Have you ever felt that way?)

I've decided over the past few weeks that I'm a cereal freak.  I've always loved cereal, but just loving it doesn't make you a cereal freak.  So how do you know if you are one?  For me, I realized I had this malady last week.  While I was eating dinner, I didn't eat as much as normal.  Don't misunderstand– the dinner was really good, but something made me stop eating. Was it the place in my brain that tells my stomach I'm full?  No, that stopped working a while ago.  Did something gross me out so I didn't want to eat anymore?  Nope, although that happens quite a bit.  That's when I realized that if I ate too much, I wouldn't have room for cereal later on!  Yes, I actually subconsciously ate less dinner so I could eat cereal.  FREAK!!!

By the way, what are your favorite cereals?  For me, it depends on my mood.  Generally though, Golden Grahams, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cookie Crisp, Cinnamon Life…you get the point.  

Happy Monday! 

One of yesterday’s daily readings was James 2:14-24,26. If you’ve never read it before, you should do it now…even if you have read it, you should read it again. I’ve read these verses many times, and each time I do, I find it easy to reflect on what God is asking me to do, which often changes over time. If you’ve ever wondered if God is asking you to do something specifically, these verses are great to meditate on. Read them and then take some quiet time to listen to God. Clear your mind and be at peace with what he is saying to you. If this is difficult at first, be patient! It can take time to learn to tune out all the outside noise.

(As an aside, compare this reading from James with Romans 4:5-6. Are James and Paul saying different things here? What do you think?)

Happy Saturday!

So I was all excited about getting a new Bible. I've been contemplating getting this Bible for like 3 months, but just couldn't rationalize spending the money. But I broke down and ordered it, and had no regrets after the fact…until I got home and opened it after Teen Core. As I was flipping through, I noticed that the back pages are skewed– it's like they were printed diagonally across the paper. You can still read them, but I don't want a Bible that I have to turn my head sideways to read! Grrr…. Should I exchange it? Normally I would have no problem with that, but sending it back and waiting for a replacement will take like 2 weeks! I'm not patient! Then again, I don't want a misprinted Bible. Help!

This is why I don't like shopping online…

Hi Guys! If you’re already checking this, sorry if you’re disappointed. I haven’t had a chance to add much…what do you think so far? Check back in the next few days for more events, dates, and substance. In the meantime, want to hear a song that gets stuck in my head EVERYTIME I hear it? Be prepared.

 

 The Spectrum Song: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download