trees and nails

When Jesus created the tree with its roots that bury themselves into the dirt and branches that explode up into the sky, did it ever cross his mind that one day he would be nailed to it? When he pushed iron ore and steel and metals deep into the earth with his thumb, did he know it could become a nail that would be driven through his hands and feet? When Jesus created hands, did he know they would mightily swing a hammer?

Consider This

"If God so clothe the grass of the field . . . shall He not much more clothe you?" Matthew 6:30

A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us if we are not simple. How are we going to be simple with the simplicity of Jesus? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, obeying Him as He brings the word of God, and life will become amazingly simple. "Consider," says Jesus, "how much more your Father Who clothes the grass of the field will clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him." Every time we have gone back in spiritual communion it has been because we have impertinently known better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed the cares of the world to come in, and have forgotten the "much more" of our Heavenly Father.

"Behold the fowls of the air" - their main aim is to obey the principle of life that is in them and God looks after them. Jesus says that if you are rightly related to Him and obey His Spirit that is in you, God will look after your 'feathers.'

"Consider the lilies of the field" - they grow where they are put. Many of us refuse to grow where we are put, consequently we take root nowhere. Jesus says that if we obey the life God has given us, He will look after all the other things. Has Jesus Christ told us a lie? If we are not experiencing the "much more," it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us, we are taken up with confusing considerations. How much time have we taken up worrying God with questions when we should have been absolutely free to concentrate on His work? Consecration means the continual separating of myself to one particular thing. We cannot consecrate once and for all. Am I continually separating myself to consider God every day of my life?

(by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest)

Update Young Life Haiti #2

Dear Friends,

This morning we were able to connect with Joe Walters, vice president of Young Life Latin America, and he gave us the following update:

1. In talking with Chedrick Caneus, national director of Young Life Haiti, it appears that all seven of our full-time Young Life staff are accounted for, but there are many student staff and volunteers whom the team has not been able to contact.

2. Joe has been able to wire some initial funds for basic medical, food and water supplies that have been delivered to Chedrick in Port-au-Prince. Roy Clifford and his team from Pico Escondido, our camp in the Dominican Republic, have also been able to directly support our staff in Haiti in providing essential supplies.

3. Chedrick has been able to purchase basic supplies in his neighborhood (on a very limited basis) and they have received aid from other organizations as well. As both the Young Life national director and the head master for a school of 1,600 kids, Chedrick along with his team have been called on by kids and their families for assistance. Many of our staff and volunteers are now living in tents pitched in front of the local Young Life house, and they are using this as a home base for ministering to the many Young Life families who need help.

I am very proud of Chedrick and our staff and volunteers in Haiti and I ask you to continue praying for their safety and health now and for the future recovery from this devastating earthquake.

You can go to the Haiti Update Page for the latest updates. A recovery fund has also been established if you are in a place to help financially.
On behalf of our team in Haiti, thank you for your continued prayers.

In Christ,
Denny Rydberg

a new definition of greatness

" ... Jesus gave us a new norm of greatness.
If you want to be important -- wonderful.
If you want to be recognized -- wonderful.
If you want to be great -- wonderful.

But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve ... You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant."


-- Martin Luther King Jr. in his historic "Drum Major Instinct Speech" delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga., on Feb. 4, 1968

YL Haiti Update

Young Life Update Haiti (click link to see pics and read update)

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:3786.2758323790/rid:774e991cc42d1f1331d498cfd869fafe



Dear Friends,

As you know, the country of Haiti has been devastated. We have fine Young Life ministry going on in that country and I asked Joe Walters, our vice president for Latin America, to give a brief report. Here it is. Please be praying for the country, our staff and kids. And, if the Lord leads you, please help out financially.

In Christ,

Denny


Joe’s report:

Because of the disruption with telecommunications in the country, getting information on our Haitian staff and leaders has been spotty at best. Here is what we do know. We have seven full-time staff, 30 student staff and about 100 volunteer leaders, all Haitian. We have heard that our national director, Chedrick Caneus, and his wife and two daughters are safe. A snapshot of our work in Haiti: we are in seven cities, 16 clubs and about 1,000 kids coming to club each week. This team, in my opinion, is a world-class team doing a phenomenal job of reaching lost teenagers with the Good News about Jesus. About one-third of our work is centered in Port-au-Prince. From the news reports it seems this is where the major damage and destruction has occurred. Chedrick’s home is the main office for Young Life (Jenn Vi) and is located in Delmas, one of the main areas of significant damage.

How can we as a Young Life family help our brothers and sisters in Haiti? Donations can be sent in to Young Life: X3110 Haiti Earthquake Recovery Fund. You can either send a check or give online.

These funds will be used in the following ways:
• Help our team in Haiti with immediate needs of food, water, medicine, temporary shelter, etc. Our Dominican Young Life staff stands ready to drive these supplies across the border.
• Help with the reconstruction of homes, Young Life offices and club rooms affected by the quake.
• Support of the Young Life ministry in Haiti. The aftermath of this devastating quake will impact our ongoing funding of the ministry. Financial support will help ensure uninterrupted funding of our staff and leaders there.
On behalf of our Young Life Haitian brothers and sisters, thank you!

In Christ,

Joe Walters



Haitian staff at Area Director School in August 2009.