Waitin' for the Weekend!!!!

A lot of the things that are happening right now make this one of the best times of the year.  It's feeling a lot like spring with sunshine & temps in the 70s, March Madness begins tomorrow, spring training means that baseball is sneaking up on us, and NFL free agency is in a frenzy.
But this weekend is one that I look forward to all year because it is our time to hang out with around 60 amazing high school students and adult leaders on our annual retreat in the Poconos.
We get away from our routines and enjoy some time having fun, relaxing, decompressing and connecting with God and bonding with each other.  The opportunity to escape from the usual "noises" in our lives and hear God's voice is priceless for students to be able to take the next steps in their relationship with Him.
Eternal commitments will be made, memories will be forged and relationships will be strengthened forever . . . and I am so thankful for a great group of friends who work so hard to help make it all possible.
Sure, the weekend may involve balloon launchers, flying snack foods, buckets, tennis balls, bandannas, blindfolds, night games with glow sticks, very little quality sleep, and an 85 yr old man sharing Justin Bieber song lyrics . . . but that's all a part of student ministry . . . investing in the lives of teenagers . . . living life and having a blast with them . . . helping them to understand God's unconditional love for them . . . showing them what it means to take ownership of their faith . . . and watching His STORYLINE for their lives continue to unfold.  THIS is why we do what we do!!!

Unthinkable . . .

There are some things that happen that just seem to leave you thinking . . . "no way" . . . "impossible" . . . "inconceivable" . . . or "unthinkable."  One of those things actually happened today when Peyton Manning was released and allowed to walk away from the Indianapolis Colts - the team that he resurrected and started every game for in his 14 year career.  The Colts are receiving nothing in return for the 4-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion . . . they have just said "thanks" and are moving forward with the production of new #12 jerseys with "Luck" on the back in anticipation of April's draft when they will select their next QB from Stanford.  While the possibility of this move has been talked about for a while, it still seems really weird now that it has actually happened - and ESPN is melodramatically milking it for every last drop.
Today's events have started me thinking about some other things that have happened that have left me thinking "no way" . . . "impossible" . . . "inconceivable" . . . or "unthinkable" . . . like:
- Brett Favre with a team other than the Cheeseheads - especially when he ended up in Purple ( and then with a purple ankle because the Saints were dirty - #bountygate )
- 41 years ago, a couple of 16 year old teenagers made a commitment, with the love & support of their families, to get married, and to raise their baby who was on the way . . . bet you can't guess who that bundle of joy was.  Against the odds, to this day, they have a blessed family to show for it
- Tracy said "yes" to me 21 years ago
- God has entrusted us with the 4 most amazing kids on earth
- our wonderful church allows me the privilege of ministering to the students & families of our community
- I get to work as part of a great church staff, and with a faithful team of studentLIFE leaders who are dear friends

The list could continue for quite a while . . . but I'll just skip to the biggest head-scratcher of all - and this is it . . . the fact that God humbled and sacrificed Himself for me (us), to "demonstrate His love" ( Romans 5:8 ) for me (us) so I (we) wouldn't have to remain separated from Him.

So, even though the "unthinkable" separation of Manning from Indy today is pretty big news . . . the biggest news of all time - God's unfailing, merciful and open-armed love is available for everyone - deserves the headline every day . . . and I'm so thankful that the "unthinkable" actually does happen.